The Society of Icelandic Priests have decided that the time has come to meet with the Bishop of Iceland and discuss the future of the national church.
Bishop Karl Sigurbjörnsson has been under pressure lately to resign from his post after an investigation into the church revealed that he had hidden evidence in an internal sexual abuse case that involved a former bishop. The current bishop has apologised on behalf of the church for its poor handling of sex abuse cases, but many have pointed out that the bishop has not apologised specifically or sufficiently for his part. The most recent poll on the matter has shown that most respondents want the bishop to resign.
Eyjan now reports that the Society of Icelandic Priests met in Akureyri last week where, among other things, the church’s handling of the sex abuse scandal was discussed. At the meeting’s conclusion, the decision was made to call for a meeting with the bishop and with church council president Pétur Hafstein.
Rev. Hildur Eir Bolladóttir said, “It was a good meeting with a consensus that we need to respond to the justifiable anger of the public. … Now it is on the church to accept responsibility and respond to this.”
Whether or not the group will ask for the bishop to resign is unknown.
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