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– There were things that were said that I do not agree with and that violate much of what our church stands for. Therefore, we must regret it and then I must have a conversation with him, says the Bishop of Nord-Hålogaland Olav Øygard.
Parish Priest Bjarne Gustad surprised many with his speech to the confirmands at Máze in Kautokeino on 23 August.
He distanced himself from abortion, homosexuality, and gender reassignment surgery, or what he called “gender reassignment.”
Gustad thinks the reactions are wonderful.
– What I said is really what Christians have meant at all times. But you can say something about the fact that our country has strayed quite far from a Christian way of thinking and legislating, she tells NRK.
Wrong approach
Bishop Olav Øygard apologizes to the confirmands and wants to chat with the priest of Kautokeino.
Photo: The Norwegian Church
The Kautokeino priest is now summoned for a conversation, Bishop Øygard says.
– What do you want to tell the priest?
– We conduct a staff interview with an employee behind closed doors. What is misleading and quite sad is that the speech is used to present very strong views on things that happen in society that can quickly be perceived as damaging to those who sit in the church, Øygard says.
– The confirmation service has not focused on the joy of the confirmed youth, but on more pain and concern for what the pastor thinks is wrong in our society. It will be the wrong approach and therefore we must apologize.
– What consequences can it have for the priest?
– I do not think we are talking about strong consequences. Now we will talk together, then we will see what we do next.
It is the speech of the parish priest Bjarne Gustad to the confirmands on August 23 that has caused a stir.
Photo: PANTALLA / GUOVDAGEAINNU LAGASRADIO
Waiting for the chat
Pastor Bjarne Gustad says he is eager to speak with the bishop.
– He is a kind and pleasant man, so it will be nice to chat, he tells NRK
He himself believes that the sermon was safe within the teachings of the church.
– I really don’t understand what the bishop should be able to disagree with, maybe there are some of the formulations that could have been different. But what I said is straight out of the commandments.
– We live in a Laestadian congregation in Finnmark. Perhaps we have a sermon tradition here that is a little more straightforward from the liver.
Gustad denies referring to homosexuality as a sin.
– But for two men to marry, I have said that you do not agree with the marriage arrangement. But homosexuality itself, I have never said it is a sin.
Gustad believes that the Norwegian Church “for the most part” teaches what is in the Bible, but skips some parts.
– There may be some things that were perhaps more relevant 2000 years ago, but above all the Bible is very relevant. And the word of God is eternal, holy and true, and does not change.
Gustad sees no reason to retract anything he has said.
– I will not regret the word of God because it is immutable. If someone does not like or is offended by him, then he can go to Our Lord with him, go for a walk with him and ask himself: Am I on the right path? Those are not my words. It is the word of God.
Gustad says he has received many supportive comments following the media uproar about the sermon.
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.
