Norwegian Bishop visits CLTS

ST. CATHARINES – For two weeks, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) had the privilege of having Bishop Torkild Masvie of the Lutheran Church in Norway present for an extended visit. Bishop Masvie was on his way to the United States but, because of COVID restrictions, could only enter through Canada. That required a two-week layover, which led the bishop to CLTS.

Reflecting on his visit, Bishop Masvie was impressed with the warm welcome from the staff, students, and faculty of Concordia. “Everyone has gone out of their way to make me feel at home,” he said.

During his stay, Bishop Masvie used the seminary’s library for research and also addressed the students at a convocation. He described how, after 23 years as a pastor in the state church of Norway, he realized his conscience made it impossible for him to continue to be a part of a church that had compromised in so many areas of Christian doctrine. The decision led him in 2005 to found the Lutheran Church in Norway (LKN)—an independent confessional Lutheran church.

Over the past fifteen years, the church has grown to include nine parishes. Even though the LKN is small, mission work is a priority. The church has established a congregation in Iceland and supports Lutheran education for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Israel.

Reflecting on his visit, Bishop Masvie was impressed with the warm welcome from the staff, students, and faculty of Concordia. “Everyone has gone out of their way to make me feel at home,” he said.

While he was in Canada, Bishop Masvie also participated in talks with Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) officials about the possibility of establishing fellowship between the LKN and LCC.

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