Norway opens hearings on church–state separation after 469 years

Norway has opened hearings on whether to separate church and state after 469 years of Lutheranism as its official religion.

The government has asked 2,500 people and groups, including every congregation and city, to comment by Dec. 1 on a special panel's recommendation that church and state be split. At present, the nation's central government funds the church and employs its bishops and clergy.

"I would encourage those asked to comment to organize information and discussion sessions," said Minister of Culture and Churches Trond Giske as he launched the hearings.

In January, the majority of a 20–member government panel recommended separation. No change could be made until at least 2014 because this requires a constitutional amendment approved by two successive parliaments.

About 86 percent of the 4.6 million Norwegians are listed as Church of Norway members but registration is automatic at birth and many are inactive.

Lutheranism became Norway's official religion in 1537 by royal decree. Denmark has a similar Lutheran state church. Sweden ended its Lutheran state church system in 2000. (AP)