Danish Priest: Parliamentary Role Undermines Church Tradition

A parish priest is raising concerns about the role of a priest attached to the Danish Parliament, arguing it undermines the established church. Henrik Gade Jensen believes that having a permanent parliamentary priest contradicts the fundamental principles of the evangelical-lutheran church.

Jensen's argument centers on the historical understanding of the priesthood in Denmark, which, since the Reformation, has been based on priests being called by a congregation or parish. He asserts that a fixed priest within the Folketing (Parliament) breaks with this tradition and the evangelical-lutheran concept of the priestly office.

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When a priest in Parliament is discussed today, we should remember that the Danish established church has, since the Reformation, been based on the principle that priests must be called by a congregation or parish.

To illustrate his point, Jensen recounts a story involving former church minister Jørgen Peter Hansen. In 1975, Hansen, upon becoming church minister, contacted his local parish priest, Johannes Johansen, inquiring about the Sunday service time. Hansen expressed his intention to attend, highlighting a connection to his local congregation even while holding a significant government position.

This anecdote serves to emphasize Jensen's view that a priest's primary connection and duty should lie with their parish and congregation, rather than a political institution. The debate touches upon the separation of church and state, and the traditional role of clergy within Danish society.

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A permanent priest in Parliament breaks with the evangelical-lutheran understanding of the priestly office.