New Minister for Church Affairs

Per Stig Moeller replaces Birthe Roenn Hornbech

Minister for Integration and Church Affairs since November 2007, Birthe Roenn Hornbech, was sacked by Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen on 8 March as a result of her ministry’s illegal refusal to give Danish citizenship to stateless young Palestinians. She has been replaced by Per Stig Moeller (Conservative), who was already Minister for Cultural Affairs, a post he retains.

 

Per Stig Moeller is one of Denmark’s most experienced politicians, having been an MP since 1984. He has held the following ministerial posts:

 

1990 – 1993  Minister of the Environment
2001 – 2010  Foreign Minister
2010 –  Minister of Cultural Affairs (including the Arts and Sport)
2011 –  Minister of Church Affairs

 

Besides his formidable political experience, gained in particular during his 9 years representing Denmark abroad, Per Stig Moeller has a reputation as an intellectual and a fine writer. Born in 1942 he gained an MA in Literary Science in 1967 and helped to found Weekend News (Weekendavisen), the highbrow weekly with in-depth analysis of society, politics, culture, and ideas. He joined the Danish Broadcasting Corporation as Cultural Editor (1971-73) before teaching at the Sorbonne (1974-76). He has written over 20 books, including acclaimed biographies of Kaj Munk and George Orwell. In 1996 he won the Georg Brandes cultural award.

 

In an interview with the Christian Daily church commentator Pastor Soerine Gotfredsen says of Per Stig Moeller: "He is fully aware of the balance needed between state and church, not just because he is active in the church but also because he knows his church history. He will not try to overrule the bishops but at the same time he will have a clear view as to what the church is and does. He is a ‘champion of values’ who recognizes the church as being an essential factor in Danish cultural life.”

 

Asked in an interview with the Christian Daily earlier this month whether he will introduce a constitution for the church – a long debated issue – Per Stig Moeller said:
“Conservative church policy is not to do anything until the church requests it.”

 

photo: Lars Grunwald

 

By: Edward Broadbridge

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