This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/norway-church-loses-followers-online-registration-system-exodus-a7202431.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| State church loses 15,000 followers in four days as online registration system prompts exodus | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Norway's state chuch lost more than 15,000 followers in four days after launching an online registration system allowing people to opt in or out. | Norway's state chuch lost more than 15,000 followers in four days after launching an online registration system allowing people to opt in or out. |
| The Lutheran Church is the country's largest, with nearly three-quarters of the population registered as members. | The Lutheran Church is the country's largest, with nearly three-quarters of the population registered as members. |
| It set up the new service in an effort to get its heavily criticised records in shape and offer an easy way for people to sign up. | It set up the new service in an effort to get its heavily criticised records in shape and offer an easy way for people to sign up. |
| But officials revealed that many instead used the new process to do the opposite, with 10,854 people de-enrolling from the church in the 24 hours after the launch of the website on 15 August. A total of 15,053 left within four days. | But officials revealed that many instead used the new process to do the opposite, with 10,854 people de-enrolling from the church in the 24 hours after the launch of the website on 15 August. A total of 15,053 left within four days. |
| The leading Bishop of the Norwegian churches, Helga Haugland Byfuglien, said: “We were prepared for a significant number of resignations and have great respect for the individual's choice. | The leading Bishop of the Norwegian churches, Helga Haugland Byfuglien, said: “We were prepared for a significant number of resignations and have great respect for the individual's choice. |
| “These signals we take seriously. Our task will be to pass on the Christian message and to convey the important role the church can have in people's lives.” | “These signals we take seriously. Our task will be to pass on the Christian message and to convey the important role the church can have in people's lives.” |
| During the first four days, 1,369 people also took the opportunity to register as members, and Church Council leader Kristin Gunleiksrud Raaum insisted the self-registration system was a good thing. | During the first four days, 1,369 people also took the opportunity to register as members, and Church Council leader Kristin Gunleiksrud Raaum insisted the self-registration system was a good thing. |
| “We will continue to have a broad and open national church. But no one should be a member of a religious community against their will, and therefore I am glad that this self-solution is in place. | “We will continue to have a broad and open national church. But no one should be a member of a religious community against their will, and therefore I am glad that this self-solution is in place. |
| “Those who mistakenly listed as a member of the Norwegian Church or who do not wish to be members can now easily change their status, and it will give us a more accurate registry,” she said. | “Those who mistakenly listed as a member of the Norwegian Church or who do not wish to be members can now easily change their status, and it will give us a more accurate registry,” she said. |
| Despite the exodus, more than 3.8 million people remain members of the Norwegian Church, and they say anyone who is baptised is welcome to join. | Despite the exodus, more than 3.8 million people remain members of the Norwegian Church, and they say anyone who is baptised is welcome to join. |