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– It is unfortunate and sad that people have signed up. It may well indicate that there are reactions to this case, says Per Hilleren, leader of the Sogndal church council.
The case is the debate in Sogndal after it became widely known that its own parish priest, Mikael Bruun, does not recognize women priests.
It is the diocese of Bjørgvin that has given NRK speeches showing that 14 Sogndal residents have resigned from the Church of Norway in the past five days.
NRK is also aware that people in other parts of western Norway have resigned as a result of the dispute over the theological views of parish priest Mikael Bruun.
Before August 27, the number was seven, for all of 2020.
Wants more factual debate
Hilleren doesn’t want to speculate on whether a case or a person is the basis for the ads, but he would like it to be a factual debate rather than what he thinks is an attack on Bruun as a person.
Mikael Bruun came forward with his take on Dagsnytt 18 last Thursday.
It happened after the domprosten in Tromsø argued for the first time that those who do not want to share “altar communion” with female priests should not be appointed to the Church of Norway.
In practice, this will mean male priests who do not want to share communion and have services together with medical colleagues.
– Very uncomfortable
On Tuesday, the church office staff in Sogndal was summoned for a meeting and the topic of the meeting was the dispute over the pastor.
Prost Geir Paulsen does not hide the fact that several have called for changes in Bruun’s position.
– It is a matter that does not really belong to our table, because the priests do not work locally. They are appointed by the diocesan council. There is an external desire for change, but not from the staff.
The rector admits that the mood among employees has been tense since the case took off in the media, especially with many comments on social networks.
– Some people think it is very uncomfortable. It’s not for hiding, says Paulsen.
NRK has been in contact with Mikael Bruun on Tuesday, but does not want to comment on what comes out.
– it’s a conflict
Parents of 26 confirmants in Sogndal have announced that they do not want Bruun to participate in teaching confirmants.
It is a claim that Provost Geir Paulsen does not support.
– Now it is the case that the teaching of confirmation is the responsibility of the pastor, professionally and in terms of content. It is not on our agenda for the team that works with confirmants to leave.
He believes, however, that confirmants must tolerate meeting a priest who thinks differently.
– It’s a conflict. But we as a staff and I as a pastor are concerned that we should be able to meet here.
