Increase for the priesthood studies

priest Priest. Photo: pixabay.com

There is shortage of priests in Norway, and those turning away from religious studies has been great, but now it seems more interest is developing.

The School of Theology in Oslo is training priests in Norway and reports a 40 percent increase in applicants for the priesthood studies from last year’s numbers. For the faculty of master’s degree in religion the increase is 100 percent, writes newspaper Aftenposten.

– We are going to take up to 150 students in the master’s program, in addition, we have 250 students from before in this program, says Rector Vidar L. Haanes. He says the number of religion students in Norway is still relatively low.

– The increase in the field of study is large, but it’s still quite modest. We have gone up from some 20 students to 34. If we are to meet the demand we need more.

Paul Erik Wirges in the Church Council says there are many vacancies in the church. In addition, 29 percent – or 374 priests – of those who are currently in churches, are over 60 years old.

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today