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There was jubilation in the Storting’s lobby (vandrehall) when it became clear that the Christian Democratic Party’s (KrF) proposal to enshrine school church services (skolegudstjeneste) in law has secured a majority.

The Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet), the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) are backing the proposal.

This means that head teachers can no longer refuse pupils the offer of a church service during school hours.

The proposal is to be voted on Thursday 5 March, reports VG.

Municipal prohibitions triggered reactions

Last year several municipalities chose to discontinue the school church service. That caused tempers to flare in the comment sections – and in the Storting.

– We consider that very ahistorical and challenging when it comes to the importance of transmitting the Christian heritage, says KrF’s Joel Ystebø to VG.

He is in no doubt as to what the church service signifies.

– Christianity has shaped our language, our festivals and our values. They must be allowed to experience the tradition in practice. Little is more inclusive and unifying in the course of a school year than precisely a school church service, says Ystebø.

FrP: – Not voluntary without an offer

FrP’s Simen Velle is crystal clear.

– Here we proceed from two premises. One is that pupils shall be offered a school church service, and that the pupils themselves shall decide whether they wish to go there, says Velle.

The most striking support comes from the Centre Party (Senterpartiet), which in doing so goes against its coalition partner the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet).

Erling Sande does not appear to lose sleep over that.

 
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