Panel: INEQUALITIES AND REPARATIONS



1035.1 - THE CHURCH OF NORWAY AND THE SÁMI INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY: OPEN CHURCH, TRUTH-AND-RECONCILIATION, AND (IN)EQUALITIES

AUTHORS:
Matthaei L.K. (University of Oslo ~ Oslo ~ Norway)
Text:
The paper offers insight into reparations and (in)equalities in Norway through a case study of Trinity Church in Oslo, a parish of the Church of Norway, which opened its doors to Sámi and climate activists protesting wind power developments. It asks: What is the conflict about, what unfolded during the Open Church, and how did activists and church staff perceive those events? The study situates the case within the longer history of Norwegianization and the Church of Norway's past role as a state church implicated in assimilationist policies, and it engages the recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Empirically, the paper draws on participant observation and interviews with activists, church staff and intermediaries to examine dynamics of (in)equality and reparative practice.