In a groundbreaking moment for religious inclusion, the Church of Norway has issued a formal and heartfelt apology to LGBTQ+ individuals for the profound harm caused by decades of exclusion and discrimination.
A Historic Moment of Reconciliation
The national church's leadership made the unprecedented declaration during a meeting in Trondheim, explicitly acknowledging the 'shame, great harm and pain' inflicted upon LGBTQ+ people through both official policies and broader church attitudes.
This apology represents a significant shift for the state church, which has been grappling with issues of sexuality and inclusion for years. Church leaders described the move as necessary for healing and reconciliation.
Confronting a Painful Legacy
The church's statement didn't shy away from the specific ways LGBTQ+ individuals have been marginalised. It recognised how exclusion from church rites and the broader community has caused deep emotional and spiritual wounds.
'We acknowledge that our teachings and practices have directly contributed to the suffering of LGBTQ+ people and their families,' the statement continued, marking a clear departure from previous positions.
The Path Forward
This apology comes amid ongoing debates within the Church of Norway about same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ clergy. While the church began permitting same-sex marriages in 2017, individual priests retain the right to refuse to conduct them, creating ongoing tensions.
Church authorities have indicated this apology is part of a broader commitment to becoming more inclusive, though they acknowledge significant work remains to fully reconcile theological differences with unconditional acceptance.
The move has been welcomed by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups across Scandinavia as a crucial step toward genuine inclusion within religious institutions.
