Inaugurated, But Not Accepted by the Bishop

Ole Christian Kvarme, the Bishop of Oslo, was absent from the inauguration of student priest Nils Jøran Riedl last Sunday, where it is customary that the Bishop reads an inaugural letter to the new priest.

The reason behind Kvarme’s protest against the inauguration of student priest Nils Jøran Riedl at the University of Oslo (UiO) is that Riedl is living in a homosexual partnership. As a substitute to the inaugural letter, Dean Olav Dag Hauge gave a speech where he reminded Riedl of his vows during his ordination. Riedl, who has been substituting as a priest at UiO for more than a year, thinks it is sad that Kvarme would not act according to tradition.

«Naturally, it was somewhat peculiar since he has the official employer’s responsibility for me but refused to read the inaugural letter, which is the official inauguration,» Riedl informed Universitas following his inauguration.

Protest

«Seeing as how I do not ordinate priests in homosexual

partnerships, it is unnatural that I issue certificates to the same priests,» Kvarme says.

Even though Kvarme neither wishes to ordinate, nor appoint priests who live in homosexual partnerships, he possesses the highest employer’s responsibility for Riedl. The Bishop was overruled by his own bishopric council concerning the appointment of Riedl. Nevertheless, he chose not to file a complaint to the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs, where he would be likely to get an appeal.

«This clarifies that we have a difficult situation in our bishopric. However, with that being said, I would like to welcome Riedl as a priest in Oslo.»

«Will the working situation between you and Riedl cause any problems?»

«I aim to establish orderly and good relations with Riedl in the time to come.» Kvarme says.

«Mild Protest»

Managing director Tom Rassos says it is up to bishops to decide for

themselves whether they would like to read an inaugural letter.

«To refrain from this tradition is to be interpreted as a mild protest. This situation can be compared with former protests against the appointment of female priests,» Rassos says.