wfn.org | Norwegian Lutheran Theologian Converted to Catholicism Quits

["Frank Imhoff" <Frank.Imhoff@elca.org>]

Norwegian Lutheran Theologian Converted to Catholicism Quits Teaching
Position
Professor Ola Tjørhom Asserts Commitment to Visible Unity of the Church

GENEVA, 18 February 2005 (LWI) - A former Lutheran professor at the
Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France, who converted to
the Roman Catholic tradition has resigned from his current position as
chairperson of dogmatics at the Lutheran School of Mission and Theology in
Stavanger, Norway.

After his conversion two years ago, Ola Tjørhom, 51, was allowed to
continue as professor of systematic theology and ecumenical theology at
Stravanger. However, the faculty leadership later on decided that he
should be moved to a more neutral field, namely theory of science.

Tjørhom's decision to become Roman Catholic in January 2003, drew
considerable attention not only in Norwegian media, but also in ecumenical
circles. As a prominent Church of Norway representative, he was instrumental in ecumenical developments at both regional and international levels,
and participated in the process that led to the Porvoo Common Statement.
Tjørhom was also a Lutheran member of the Anglican-Lutheran International Working Group. (cf. http://www.lutheranworld.org/news/lwi/en/1142.en.html)
Tjørhom resigned from his teaching post in January 2005 as part of a
mutual agreement between him and the Lutheran School of Mission and
Theology. He says he welcomes the settlement that has been reached, but
regrets the difficulty reflected in defining an appropriate teaching area
for a Roman Catholic theologian. Theory of science, he says, is an area in
which he has no special background.

Tjørhom, who has had leave of absence for the last year, has continued
writing and publishing on various topics and will now begin looking for a
new teaching post.

"I am fully aware that a conversion is a problematic step, not least in an
ecumenical perspective," he remarks. "Yet, my commitment to the goal of
the visible unity of the church remains unchanged," he adds. (306 words)

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 138
member churches in 77 countries all over the world, with a membership of
nearly 66 million Christians. The LWF acts on behalf of its member
churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith
relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication,
and the various aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat
is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service. Unless
specifically noted, material presented does not represent positions or
opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the dateline of an
article contains the notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced
with acknowledgment.]

*    *	   *

LWI online: http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/Welcome.EN.html

LUTHERAN WORLD INFORMATION
PO Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: (41.22) 791.63.54
Fax: (41.22) 791.66.30
Editor: pmu@lutheranworld.org