Henrik Christiansen, former Bishop of Aalborg, dies aged 89

Denmark looses a strong figure in the ecumenical landscape

Former Bishop of Aalborg, Henrik Christiansen, died on September 16 aged 89. In the orbituary The Christian Daily describes him as a "present and engaged church leader." During his working life Henrik Christiansen was also engaged in the ecumenical work at home and abroad.

Henrik Christiansen grew up in Copenhagen, where he was baptised, confirmed, and gained a Masters in Theology. He then moved to South Jutland in 1946 as assistant pastor in Moltrup-Bjerning. From 1949-55 he was pastor in Torslev-Lendum parish in North Jutland, before taking over as principal of Haslev People’s High School on Zealand from 1954-64. He then returned to North Jutland, where he was pastor in Dronninglund from 1964-74. Yet again he moved to Zealand, this time as Dean of Elsinore Cathedral, but only a year later he was elected Bishop of Aalborg and returned for the third time to Jutland.

 

First against, then for, the ordination of women
For 16 years until his retirement in 1991 Henrik Christiansen was a strong leader of his diocese, and gained the nickname ‘Iron Henrik’. But he was not afraid to change his mind. As a student of Theology in 1947 he signed a protest against the ordination of women pastors – but much later he was very proud that two of his daughters became pastors. Being a lively and energetic pastor bishop Henrik Christiansen held over 30 honorary offices during his long career, and wrote over 50 books and articles, including his last book, From Ansgar to Grundtvig, 2011, a collection of 1000 prayers many of which he himself had translated from Latin.

 

Ecumenism and Porvoo
Internationally, Henrik Christiansen was best known for his stance against apartheid and for his ecumenical work. From 1983-90 he chaired the National Council of Churches in Denmark, and during the same period was a member of the World Council of Churches central committee. It was not least thanks to Henrik Christiansen that the Porvoo Fellowship between Anglicans and Lutherans was established in the early 1990s and when Denmark finally joined in 2010, he warmly welcomed the move.

By Edward Broadbridge

Photo: Ole Hartmann Schmidt

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