Norwegian church is asking dispensation for cross on building

The so-called Skauen church was opened this summer next to a residential area. The building has an illuminated cross which is visible 24 hours during the whole year. A neighbour complained about this to the local authorities. The municipality then asked the church to apply for a special dispensation if the light in the cross is to be approved.

Aage Bjørntvedt, who represents the architectural firm Børve Borchsenius and has been the Skien congregation's construction manager, has told the Christian Norwegian press agency Kristelig Pressekontor that the company will apply for a dispensation on behalf of the church within the deadline that expires at New Year.

No objections

In consultation with the municipality, the church's immediate neighbourhood was also involved in the application. All formal objections were to be added to the application and sent along, Bjørntvedt explains. The neighbours' response deadline was set for Wednesday 22 December, and by the end of it, according to Bjørntvedt, there had been no objections.

The original complainant, who reportedly lives 300 metres away from the church, has not been asked to comment, Bjørntvedt says when asked. "He is not on the list of neighbours that we have received from the municipality, so he has not been notified."

The church has always been willing to do what was necessary to keep the illuminated cross.

Crusade

For pastor Fred Arve Fahre, the issue of the luminous cross is not only negative. "We have had conversations with many, and it is great to be able to talk to people about the cross and highlight the meaning of it." Fahre is a priest in Telemark parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Society (DELK), an association of several congregations in the Grenland district that invested 80 million krona (almost 8 million euro's) in the new church building in Skien.

In addition to criticism, the church also receives expressions of support, which Fahre knows. "People have driven from the other side of the city to come to the congregation and express support for us."

The pastor says the case has received attention far outside Grenland. Someone with relatives in the United States heard that the cross is a talking point among some also on the opposite side of the Atlantic.

"This is something that connects people. Many see the cross as an important part of our culture and tradition and believe it is about our freedom of religion and expression. Many do not profess the Christian faith, who support us, so this conflict has touched something", says Fahre.