WCC general secretary nominated as presiding bishop for Bishops’ Conference of the Church of Norway

The Bishops' Conference of the Church of Norway has nominated World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit as its new presiding bishop.

There is an overall college of bishops behind the nomination.

“We are delighted and grateful that Dr. Fykse Tveit has confirmed that he is accepting the nomination and is willing to make himself available to become a bishop in our church and for the Bishops’ Conference,” said the current presiding bishop, Helga Haugland Byfuglien.

Current presiding bishop, Helga Haugland Byfuglien. Photo courtesy of Heidi Olsen/Church of Norway

There is only one nominee for the position, as the regulations allow.

The nomination is now being forwarded to the National Church Council, which is responsible for the further process until the appointment. The National Church Council has arranged for appointment at its meeting in Trondheim on 30-31 January 2020.

Tveit expressed deep appreciation. “I am thankful, humbled and honored by the confidence expressed in me by the Bishops’ Conference, being aware of the many dimensions and responsibilities of such a task,” he said. "I have made myself available for this process and have accepted the nomination as a call to continue to serve the church. I now wait for the final outcome of this process.”

Press release of the Church of Norway (in Norwegian and English)

Church of Norway