The recent apology from the Church of Norway to the LGBTQ+ community is misguided and unnecessary. While Presiding Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit said the church “has imposed shame, great harm and pain,” and apologised stating “this should not have happened,” the Church must remember that it is founded on enduring spiritual principles, not on shifting cultural opinions.

The church’s teachings, based on scripture, provide moral guidance that has stood for centuries. To apologise for these convictions because they conflict with modern social movements undermines the very foundation of its faith. As the Church’s bishops acknowledged in the 1950s when they described gay people as a “social danger of global dimensions,” these views reflect the church’s responsibility to uphold what it believes to be moral truth—not to conform to popular trends.

While the Church of Norway now allows same-sex couples to marry in its ceremonies, its decision to apologise reflects its own stance and regrets about holding onto traditional beliefs—not a position shared by all Christians. This decision stands apart from the wider Christian community.

The church should not weaken its position by apologising for holding to its doctrines; instead, it should stand firm and foster respectful dialogue where necessary.

By apologising, the Church risks losing its role as a moral authority and blurs the line between faith and society’s changing attitudes. The Church of Norway would serve its community better by standing true to its beliefs rather than offering regrets for what is true.