Commission Proposes Ending Norway's State-Church System
A majority of members on a government-appointed multi-party commission with representatives of different denominations and religions has recommended abolishing the current state-church system in Norway.
The 20-member commission led by a former Christian Democrat government minister, Kare Gjonnes, presented "The State and the Church of Norway" report to the minister for culture and church affairs, Trond Giske on 31 January 2006, after nearly three years of work.
The year 2013 is seen as the earliest date for a change in the [Lutheran] Church of Norway’s relations to the state, as any major changes would require a revision of the country's constitution.
Between 2,000 and 3,000 church and public bodies, institutions, organizations and parties are expected to have stated their view on the matter by the end of this year. A government report to the "Storting" (parliament) is expected in late 2008.
Church of Norway, a state church since the 1537 Lutheran reformation in Denmark-Norway, has over 3.9 million members, representing 85 per cent of the country's population. It has been a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member church since 1947.
The other LWF member church in the Nordic country, the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Norway with nearly 22,000 members, held LWF associate membership since 1997, and changed to full membership in 2005. (218 words)
(Ecumenical News International)
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