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Amid red stage curtains at one of Oslo’s most prominent LGBTQ+ spaces, the Church of Norway offered an apology for harm and unequal treatment caused by the church.

“The church in Norway has caused LGBTQ+ people shame, great harm and pain,” the lead bishop, the church leader, announced during a Thursday event. “It was wrong for this to take place and this is why I offer my apology now.”

“Unequal treatment, harassment and discrimination” resulted in a loss of faith for some, the bishop admitted. A religious service at Oslo's main cathedral was scheduled to come after the apology.

The statement of regret occurred at the London Pub establishment, one of two bars involved in the 2022 violent incident that killed two people and injured nine people severely throughout the Oslo Pride festivities. An individual of Iranian descent living in Norway, who expressed support for ISIS, was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for the murders.

Like many religions around the world, Norway's church – an evangelical Lutheran church that is Norway’s largest faith community – historically excluded LGBTQ+ individuals, denying them the opportunity to become pastors or to have church weddings. During the 1950s, bishops of the church characterized LGBTQ+ persons as “a global-scale societal hazard”.

Yet, with Norwegian society turning more progressive, becoming the second in the world to legalize same-sex partnerships in 1993 and during 2009 the first Scandinavian country to allow same-sex marriage, the religious institution eventually adapted.

Back in 2007, Norway's church commenced the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy, and gay and lesbian couples could get married in religious ceremonies starting in 2017. Last year, Tveit participated in the Pride march in Oslo in what was noted as a historic moment for the religious institution.

The Thursday statement of regret received varied responses. The leader of an organization for Christian lesbians in Norway, Hanne Marie, a lesbian minister herself, described it as “a crucial act of amends” and a point in time that “finally marked the end of a dark chapter in the church’s history”.

As stated by Stephen Adom, the leader of Norway’s Association for Gender and Sexual Diversity, the apology was “meaningful and vital” but was delivered “too late for those who passed away from AIDS … with hearts filled with anguish as the church regarded the crisis as divine punishment”.

Worldwide, a few churches have sought to make amends for their actions towards LGBTQ+ people. Last year, the Anglican Church apologised for what it referred to as its “shameful” treatment, although it continues to refuse to allow same-sex marriages in church.

Likewise, the Methodist Church located in Ireland last year issued an apology for “inadequate pastoral assistance and care” toward LGBTQ+ individuals and family members, but held fast in the view that marriage should only represent a bond between male and female.

Several months ago, the United Church of Canada delivered a statement of regret to Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ groups, characterizing it as a renewed commitment of its “pledge to complete acceptance and open hospitality” in every part of the church's activities.

“We have failed to honor and appreciate all of your beautiful creation,” Michael Blair, the top administrative leader of the church, stated. “We caused pain to people in place of fostering completeness. We are sorry.”