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– Before my daughter was confirmed, the pastor Bjarne Gustad gave an unreasonable speech during the presentation, where he, among other things, expressed his point of view on homosexuality, says Sara Elisabeth Blind, mother of three children.
In retrospect, she and her daughter talked about this incident. And Blind explains that this was one of the reasons they decided to confirm their daughter in Sweden last year, rather than in their hometown Kautokeino.
Sara Elisabeth Blind.
Photo: Private
Although Blind has always had the desire to confirm her daughter in Sweden. The choice is also due to the parish priest’s vision of, among other things, gender identity and homosexuality.
– I do not share your views on these issues, emphasizes Blind.
In the last week, many have reacted to the speech of the parish priest Bjarne Gustad, which he recently delivered during the confirmation service in Máze, Finnmark.
During the service she dealt with abortion, homosexuality, gender reassignment, and adultery, among others.
Gustad tells NRK that it’s sad that someone doesn’t want to confirm at Kautokeino because of their position.
SPEAKING THE WORD OF GOD: Parish Priest Bjarne Gustad.
Photo: Marie Elise Nystad / NRK
– I don’t quite understand why. I only preach the word of God as it has always been in the Bible, responds Bjarne Gustad.
The video was deleted
The service has been available on YouTube. It has now been removed due to various inquiries from parents, writes VG.
REQUEST TO REMOVE THE VIDEO: Neighborhood council leader Ellen Aina Eira.
Photo: Private
– Several parents express that they do not want the confirmants to be linked to this speech, says the leader of the neighborhood council Ellen Aina Eira to VG.
- Hear parts of Gustad’s sermon here:
TALKING TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE: Parish priest Bjarne Gustad had many warnings to come to the confirmands in the Masi church. The recording was made by Guovdageainnu lagasradio (GLR) and cut together by NRK.
Bjarne Gustad says she has no plans to change the way she expresses her opinions.
– I ask God to teach me how to do it through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who is our teacher. Also my teacher on how to live and preach, says Gustad.
The bishop takes action
Now the bishop of Nord-Hålogaland Olav Øygard takes action and summons the aforementioned parish priest in Kautokeino for a conversation after the service on 23 August in Máze.
– This is not how a sermon should be in a confirmation service. Confirmation should be a day of joy. Now I follow this case with the corresponding priest, says Øygard.
DISPENSES: The Bishop of Nord-Hålogaland Olav Øygard apologizes to the confirmands and distances himself from the message in the much-talked about service in Máze.
Photo: The Norwegian Church
At the same time, the Bishop distances himself from the message of the service and apologizes to the confirmands and the other guests.
– You do not agree with what the church represents. I want to apologize to the confirmants and their families and guests, says the Bishop of Nord-Hålogaland Olav Øygard.
Experience more openness
The blind experience more openness in congregations in Sweden. At the confirmation camps, young people from Sweden will get to know each other, but they will also learn to take a position on matters of faith.
– There is great openness and respect for the fact that people have different points of view on issues. I also want to teach these values to my children, says Sara Elisabeth Blind.
By attending confirmation camp, youth have the opportunity to discuss and express their opinions.
– The camp addresses various issues such as that affecting young people, such as homosexuality and suicide, which has been an issue in the past, explains Blind.
