Norwegian Christians begin pilgrimage from Oslo to Trondheim

From 24 May to 21 June, the Christian Council of Norway (CCN) is promoting a pilgrimage from the Norwegian capital Oslo to Trondheim, an important Christian pilgrimage site and the location of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee meeting from 22-28 June.

CCN’s general secretary Rev. Knut Refsdal will walk the entire 29-day, 638.6-kilometer route, and is inviting local church leaders and congregations to join part or all of the pilgrimage. Several meetings and dialogue spaces are being organized at stops along the way.

“The main message we want to share along the way is that religious and philosophical leaders of each community can help promote mutual understanding and respect for shared values and therefore deplore violent extremism and hate speech,” said Refsdal.

Special programs are planned for Eidsvoll (27 May), Hamar (30 May), Lillehammer (2 June), Oppdal (14 June), Skaun (19 June), and Trondheim (21 June).

In Eidsvoll, pilgrims will take part in a panel on "The refugee crisis as a challenge to religion and belief.”

In Hamar, they will take part of a dialogue at the local diocese office on "Religious extremism.”

At the Lillehammer Church Center, there will be a discussion about the challenges of the refugee crisis in Europe.

At the Oppdal Christian Center, pilgrims will join a dialogue about "Religion and philosophy as positive contributors in the community - with particular reference to the refugee situation in general and the relationship with Muslims in particular.”

At the Skaun Church, there will be an ecumenical evening devotional.

Participants of the WCC Central Committee will be invited join the last seven kilometers of the journey into Trondheim, where, at the Methodist Church, there will be a panel on "Faith and religious dialogue in Trondheim.”

More information and detailed itinerary (Facebook link)

More information about the 2016 Central Committee meeting in Trondheim

The Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace