Thanking she accepted the job she is offered, she becomes the first priest in a diocese that lives in a registered homosexual partnerships. Conservative Christians have described it as “tragic” – and Møre bishop Ingeborg Midttømme refuses to ordain her – but support statements have been decidedly the most.
– This has been one of the hottest I’ve experienced, is the description she gives of attention this issue has received.
Sunday closed she femukers practice period in Ålesund with worship in Volsdalen Church. It should she really have along with another priest, but illness did Hanne Marie Pedersen-Eriksen had to lead it alone. It impressed many, and on the church steps afterwards she received warm hugs and congratulations from churchgoers who experienced her first or second time.
– The service was a very nice experience for me, she says.
Now drag 27-year-old back to Oslo and the last run-in theology studies, but as yet there is no studies she has most in mind.
Within a few days, she must decide if she should return to the Møre and take the job as a priest in Sandøy municipality – which diocese with scarce possible margin resolved to offer her.
-Hatt good dialogue with the bishop
There is little doubt that the case was difficult for the diocesan council. No priest living in a gay relationship has previously sought job in the diocese, knowing that the chance of a job have been considered small.
After that Aftenposten to the Council have spent more time on this employment issue than the council has ever spent on a case previously. Total lasted meeting in 13 hours.
I’m just grateful that they saw that I had qualifications that were required.
– But if you take job, you get a boss who did not want to ordain you. What do you think about it?
– She has said that she is going to be a good boss. There I shall relate to. We have had a good dialogue those periods I have been in practice in the diocese.
Went a few rounds with himself
Theology student born and raised in Oslo and Lier Buskerud, but it is no coincidence that she wants a small island out at sea. Her mother and grandmother comes from Ålesund, through the study period, all her practice and summer jobs been Diocese of Møre. With great interest arctic wildlife, she thought that the job in Sandøybotn could fit her perfectly.
However, she has always been aware that a job in just this diocese could be difficult. Until a few years ago stood the advertisement texts that priests who lived homosexual unions would not be added. Some time back the text was changed to the “cohabitation can be requested and emphasized”.
– I went a few rounds with myself whether I would seek in Møre if a vacancy arose. When the job was advertised Sandøybotn I knew a drive and a call to go out there. Being able to be a priest in a small community fascinates me.
– But you knew about the attitude of the diocese and bishop. What was decisive for taking a chance on search?
– I thought it was my right. I discussed it with my tilkomne Sigrun, and we decided to jump in it.
Have got great support in Sandøybotn
The soon graduates priest is highly desired by the church in Sandøy. She was one of three applicants for the position, and it was a unanimous parish who went in for her. This support is not diminished by all the attention this issue has received in recent days.
– The church stands strong in the local community, and we are particularly concerned work among youth. Where appropriate Pedersen Eriksen firmly, telling the leader in the parish council, Norunn Blokkum. She was glad that diocesan council went in for her, and also praises the bishop’s decision to accept that Pedersen Eriksen can now be ordained by another bishop.
According Blokkum was Pedersen Eriksens sexual orientation is not an issue when the parish council considered the three applicants for the position.
– The support from the parish council on Sandøybotn gave me a boost. It has meant a lot, says Pedersen-Eriksen.
But as a gay woman, who this summer will marry his Sigrunn, she has also experienced condemnation. There have been some sms’s from people she does not know. But they are few. The decision in Møre diocesan council believes she shows that it is possible for the Church to have two parallel view of priests who live in homosexual relationships
– This theme should not be schismatic, but sexuality and relationships is a topic that engages and affecting people both in and outside the Church. Then also condemnations.
Have not decided
Hanne Marie Pedersen Eriksen came late “out of the closet” – it was only after she had begun to theology.
She says that she spent two years to conclude that priestly work was theologically consistent with having a relationship with a woman. The minister is aware that there will be people who do not want her to baptize a child or officiate at a funeral.
Pedersen Eriksen hope that she is not “she lesbians priest.” Whether she takes the job in Sandøy, is not certain. In addition to job there, she has a quote about another priest position in another diocese. It stands between the two jobs.
– It will be a difficult choice. It gets a thorough discussion with Sigrunn and we have not yet decided. It is not just about jobs, but what place we want to settle us.
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