DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                   2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                  Tel. No. 834-4000 
  SFA-AGR723-07                                                                                                                                        20 September 2007

DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE BISHOP OF OSLO AND THE PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR ON NORWAY ’S RELIGIOUS THRUST AND ITS RELEVANCE TO THE PHILIPPINES ’ INTERFAITH INITIATIVES  

19 September 2007 – Philippine Ambassador to Norway Victoria Bataclan and Minister Evelyn Garcia paid a courtesy call on Bishop Ole Christian Kvarme of Oslo . During the visit, both parties discussed religious concerns of their respective countries. The Bishop informed Ms. Bataclan and Ms. Garcia that the Lutheran Church of Norway has established Church centers in Bangkok , Singapore , Kobe , Hongkong and Sydney . Further, Non-government organizations (NGO) within the framework of the Church of Norway have established centers located in Taiwan , Hongkong and Manila . He cited that in the Philippines , the NGO is known as the Norwegian Missionary Alliance which is in charge of schools. He also stated that Norway has received more Christian immigrants than those of the Muslim faith and foremost, address their spiritual needs. In Oslo , there has been a proliferation of small parish congregations in the last 20 years, Swahili, Chinese, and the Greek and Russian Orthodox. According to the Bishop, congregations in need of Churches should approach the Mayor of Oslo. The good Bishop would also like to gather all linguistic groups and religious congregations after the New Year, with emphasis on the presence of a Norwegian Christian Council to unite all Christian Churches in Norway .  

The Bishop expressed his interest on the Philippine Muslim population. Ambassador Bataclan conveyed to Bishop Kvarme, the ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In conflict areas, the Bishop believes that people of faith must engage themselves in peace efforts.  

Moreover, the Bishop aired his concern on the problems of Muslim integration in Norway , wherein 50% of Muslims are centered in Oslo .

In conclusion, the Philippine Ambassador requested the Bishop of Oslo to consider Norway ’s participation in the 2nd Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and cooperation for Peace, to be held in New York on 27 September 2007. END.  

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