Oslo Bishop Accused of Hiding Sexual Misconduct, The Foreigner, January 12, 2011

Oslo Bishop Accused of Hiding Sexual Misconduct

The Foreigner
January 12, 2011

http://theforeigner.no/pages/news/oslo-bishop-accused-of-hiding-sexual-misconduct/

Ole Christian Kvarme, Bishop of Oslo

The victim alleges the misconduct took place at her home one-and-a-half years ago during a visit by the chaplain, whom she had known for 12 years.

She subsequently wrote to him, expressing her deep disappointment at his actions following long-term spiritual guidance, and received a reply shortly afterwards. The clergyman apologised but did not refer to the incident, reports VG.

Following her letter of complaint to the priest’s superior, Bishop of Oslo Ole Christian Kvarme, she was called in for a meeting.

“The Bishop thought it was a terrible matter, but was happy I had held my faith. He didn’t mention any more about it,” she says.

The woman then wrote a second letter to him last year, and says she was offered 10,000 kroner in exchange for her silence. She has since reported the matter to police.

Minister of Church Affairs Rigmor Aasrud has declined to comment on the matter, but says “one cannot simply buy one’s way out of these types of matters. We are not aware that the church has used money in this way before. It is not a natural way of using money that the Church has received from us.”

A survey made in 2009 by Normisjon, a voluntary and independent mission agency within the Lutheran Church of Norway, reveals that300 leaders in the Norwegian Church have been accused of sexual misconduct since 1995, and only 30 have denied the accusations.

“There is major uncertainty amongst the general community regarding the amount of sexual abuse, and therefore there is reason to believe that it is also soin the Church of Norway. In most cases, there has been arelationship of trust between theperpetrator and the victim. When you have a loyaltyto the person concerned,it is often more difficult to tell someone about whathas happened,” says Else Kari Bjerva, head of personnel at Normisjon.

Bishop Ole Christian Kvarme confirms the victim was offered money, but denies this was to keep the matter quiet. Both he and the priest are to face questioning by police in connection with the matter shortly.