Free Republic

Press release from the Mission Province Gothenburg and Karlstad February 25, 2005 As expected, the Cathedral Chapter in Karlstad, in session yesterday, February 24, has taken away from the bishop in the Mission Province, Arne Olsson, the authority to exercise the pastoral office in the Church of Sweden. Arne Olsson was consecrated on February 5 as bishop in the Mission Province. The Cathedral Chapter's justification is that Arne Olsson has violated his pastoral vows which bear upon loyalty to the Church of Sweden's orders, with reference to Church Order 2000, chapter 31, paragraph 12.1. During the meeting with the Cathedral...

Controversial group has gotten their own bishop The controversial Mission Province has gone from word to action. Today, Saturday, Arne Olsson was consecrated as the province's first bishop. The bishop's consecration was conducted by Bishop Walter Obare from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya. The consecration took place in the hall at Schiller Senior High School in central Gothenburg. The location was long kept secret for fear of protests and the entrance was guarded by two watchmen. But no demonstrators were to be seen. On the other hand, the school hall was filled quickly by invited guests and journalists. The...