Albin Hillert
Olav Tveit 2020
The Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit in the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, Jan. 28, 2020. Dr. Tveit was appointed presiding bishop of the Church of Norway after serving two terms as general secretary of the World Council of Churches. (WCC Photo (c) Albin Hillert. Used by permission. All rights reserved).
The Church Council of the Church of Norway has appointed World Council of Churches general secretary, the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, as the new presiding bishop for the Church of Norway. Dr. Tveit will leave his position as the WCC's top executive on March 31.
Dr. Tveit said he is looking forward to reconnecting with Trøndelag, where he spent a meaningful part of his childhood.
“A bishop should listen to others while unifying and uniting the diversity of our church under our common faith,” said Tveit. “As presiding bishop, a particular responsibility rests on you to be a representative for the entire church while also being a public figure. This means that disseminating your message in a favorable manner is sometimes more important than dominating the debate and getting the last word in.”
Tveit added: "There is a lot at stake. We have a lot to do. The church ought to be seen and heard. The prophetic role of the church is often discussed in the ecumenical movement. In my opinion, it is a matter of being a clear voice, and of being both critical and constructive.”
He underlined: “The church, with its message and as a public actor, contributes to opinion formation and opinion exchange in society. I would like to take on the role as presiding bishop by contributing to the visibility and audibility of the Church of Norway, and by ensuring that the church makes good and objective contributions in the public sphere.”
Tveit said he wants a task-oriented church. “I have observed many ways of existing as a church and how the church can bear significance for people in different ways. I think this is useful in the Bishops’ Conference’s endeavors to develop and exercise spiritual and pastoral leadership in the church. I believe that my extensive ecumenical and international experience will be valuable as we work to acknowledge and develop the diversity of the Church of Norway, as well as how it relates to the large diversity of Norwegian society.”
Tveit’s inauguration will take place during the church synod in Trondheim on April 26 in the Cathedral of Nidaros. Announcement of his departure from the WCC didn't specify when a search for his successor would be held.