From Iceland — New Bishop To Take Over In June

New Bishop To Take Over In June

Published January 19, 2012

The current bishop of Iceland will be leaving his post early, and the Church Council will need to elect his replacement on June 30.The current bishop of Iceland will be leaving his post early, and the Church Council will need to elect his replacement on June 30.
As reported, Bishop Karl Sigurbjörnsson has been beset by a sex scandal involving the previous bishop – the late Ólafur Skúlasson – whom several women, including his own daughter, have accused of sexual abuse. Karl, who was a priest at the time of the abuse, concealed evidence of this bishop’s crimes.
Since then, the calls for him to step down have resounded from inside and outside the church. Last November, the bishop announced that church elections for his replacement would take place six months early, and that he would not run again.
Vísir now reports that the definitive date for the bishop’s resignation will be June 30. The Church Council will be releasing a voting form on February 1.
Priests and theologists can all run for the office of bishop, but only other priests, theologists, and related church officials have the right to vote for one.

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