Ordo Crucis is a High Church Lutheran religious society for men, priests and lay, in Church of Norway

Church of Norway

The Church of Norway is the state church of Norway, established after the Lutheran reformation in Denmark-Norway in 1536-1537 broke the ties to the Holy See. The church confesses the Lutheran Christian faith...

.

The Order was founded in 1933 by professor Hans Ording, parish priest Odd Godal and Alex Johnson, later Bishop of Hamar

Diocese of Hamar

Hamar is a present Lutheran diocese, named after its episcopal see, the Norwegian city of Hamar.There are 164 parishes in the diocese.-Lutheran diocese:...

.

The Order desires to renew the Church from within. Brethren also work to introduce private confession

Confession

This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...

 and to celebrate the Eucharist

Eucharist

The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...

 with a more Catholic content. Brethren follow the Rule of Life of the Order.

Ordo Crucis has local groups in Trondheim

Trondheim

Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...

, Bergen

Bergen

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....

, Kristiansand

Kristiansand

-History:As indicated by archeological findings in the city, the Kristiansand area has been settled at least since 400 AD. A royal farm is known to have been situated on Oddernes as early as 800, and the first church was built around 1040...

, Skien

Skien

' is a city and municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Skien. Skien is also the administrative centre of Telemark county....

, and Oslo

Oslo

Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...

. In Oslo, Brethren have gathered to celebrate Mass every Saturday in Frogner Chapel.

Members include e.g. Torgeir Havgar, Egil A. Wyller and Inge Lønning

Inge Lønning

Inge Lønning is a Norwegian theologian, educator, and politician, active in the Conservative Party of Norway.Lønning was born in Fana, Bergen, Norway. He earned his cand. theol. from the University of Oslo in 1962 and finished the practical-theological seminar in 1963...

. Also few Roman Catholic priests have sought to join the Order.

Brethren in episcopate have included Alex Johnson, Kaare Støylen

Kaare Støylen

Kaare Støylen was a Norwegian Lutheran bishop, born in Oslo. He was the son of Bernt Støylen.Støylen served as bishop of the Diocese of Agder from 1958 to 1973, and bishop of the Diocese of Oslo from 1973 to 1977. He was decorated Commander with Star of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in...

, Tord Godal

Tord Godal

Tord Godal was a Norwegian theologian and bishop for the Diocese of Nidaros. He was decorated Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1969. Godal was also a Freemason....

, Per Lønning

Per Lønning

Per Lønning is a Norwegian bishop, theologian, professor and politician. Lønning received his Doctor of theology from University of Oslo in 1955...

, Sigurd Oseberg, and Fredrik Grønningsæter.

Literature

• Ordo Crucis 1933-2003. Om ordenens opprinnelse, målsetting og påvirkninger i kirke og samfunn by Ove Hestvold. Kirke og Kultur, Årgang 2003, Nr 04 (pages 365-374)

External links

• Katolsk infiltrasjon i Statskirken... - Mens Vi Venter, nr. 8, Juli/Aug. 1994
• Ordo Crucis in Norwegen by Reinhard and Hildegart Mumm. - Quatember 1975 (p. 43-46)