Børre Knudsen

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Børre Knudsen (born December 24, 1937, in Vennesla) is a Norwegian Lutheran minister noted for his pro-life activism. He is also a well-known psalm composer.

Knudsen completed his seminary education in 1966 and was ordained in the Church of Norway in 1967. He served as an assistant minister in Balsfjord from 1968 until 1971, when he was made minister of the parish there.

In 1979, when the Norwegian parliament finalized legislation allowing abortion on demand in the first trimester, Knudsen protested by refusing to perform any duties on behalf of the Kingdom of Norway. He did not accept a salary from the state, did not perform weddings, did not issue birth certificates, and did not open mail directed to him as a civil servant.

Minister of Church and Education Einar Førde dismissed Knudsen from his post for neglecting his duties. Knudsen sued the state and surprisingly won the first round. He eventually lost his case on appeal to the Supreme Court of Norway in 1983 and was defrocked in the Church of Norway in 2001.

Two other ministers, Ludvig Nessa and Per Kørner joined him in his protest and were also terminated from their posts and defrocked. In 1987, these three started non-violent protests at abortion clinics, showing in traditional ministerial robes, singing psalms.

These activists and other established the parish of Strandebarm, proclaiming it the "Old Norwegian church in exile," where Knudsen was made bishop on April 5, 1997. He immediately excommunicated Norwegian medical doctors, politicians, and bishops of the state church from his "true church." The congregation consists of seven clergy and focuses on reversing the "heresy" in the Norwegian state church, including the issues related to abortion, homosexuality, and the ordination of women.