Tor Singsaas
Encyclopedia
Tor Singsaas is a Norwegian
Lutheran minister and the current bishop
in the Diocese of Nidaros
.
, Norway
and grew up in Buvika
and Melhus
. His father was a general store manager, and Singsaas grew up in and around these stores, which were typically where people in the local community gathered on a daily basis. He briefly considered becoming an actor, but settled on a career within theology
.
in Oslo
in 1976 (theology) and 1977 (practical theology
). He was ordained as a minister in Melhus Church
on 8 January 1978, with Bishop Tord Godal
officiating. He has also completed coursework in pastoral duties, family counseling, church history, and other topics.
in Oslo, but the same year he was assigned to permanent positions in the Diocese of Nidaros
, where he has served since. He has held positions within the Nidaros Cathedral
and most recently was the Dean
of the Byåsen
deanery
in Trondheim
from 2004-2008. In 2008, the bishop of Nidaros, Finn Wagle
retired and Singsaas was one of several nominees for that seat, and was consistently favored to win the appointment. He was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Nidaros
by the Norwegian Council of State
on 27 June 2008. He was consecrated as Bishop on 14 December 2008.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
Lutheran minister and the current bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
in the Diocese of Nidaros
Diocese of Nidaros
Nidaros is a diocese in the Lutheran Church of Norway. It covers Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag counties and its cathedral city is Trondheim, which houses the well-known Nidaros Cathedral. The diocese is divided into 12 deaneries . Finn Wagle was the bishop from 1991 to 2008...
.
Background
Singsaas was born and baptized in HølondaHølonda
Hølonda is a former municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. Hølonda encompasses the southwestern part of the present-day municipality of Melhus, west of the Gaula River. The main church for the area is Hølonda Church.-History:...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
and grew up in Buvika
Buvika
Buvika is a village in the municipality of Skaun in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. It is located at the end of the Gaulosen, an arm of the Trondheimsfjord, about from the mouth of the Gaula River. Buvika lies along the European route E39, about halfway between the villages of Børsa and Leinstrand...
and Melhus
Melhus
Melhus is a village and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. It is part of the Gauldalen region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Melhus...
. His father was a general store manager, and Singsaas grew up in and around these stores, which were typically where people in the local community gathered on a daily basis. He briefly considered becoming an actor, but settled on a career within theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
Education
Singsaas earned his degree in theology at MF Norwegian School of TheologyMF Norwegian School of Theology
The Norwegian School of Theology , is a private, independent, accredited Norwegian specialised university...
in 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 1976 (theology) and 1977 (practical theology
Practical theology
Practical theology is the practical application of theology to everyday life. Richard Osmer explains that the four key questions and tasks in practical theology are:# What is going on? # Why is this going on?...
). He was ordained as a minister in Melhus Church
Melhus church
Melhus Church , also known as "the Gauldal Cathedral", is a large stone church in Melhus, Norway. It was built in 1892, after the older church building was demolished. The churchyard contains a cemetery....
on 8 January 1978, with Bishop 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....
officiating. He has also completed coursework in pastoral duties, family counseling, church history, and other topics.
Appointments
Singsaas started his career in 1978 as a substitute minister in HøybråtenHøybråten
Høybråten is a residential area in the north-eastern part of Norway's capital Oslo. Høybråten has its own church, schools and railway station....
in Oslo, but the same year he was assigned to permanent positions in the Diocese of Nidaros
Diocese of Nidaros
Nidaros is a diocese in the Lutheran Church of Norway. It covers Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag counties and its cathedral city is Trondheim, which houses the well-known Nidaros Cathedral. The diocese is divided into 12 deaneries . Finn Wagle was the bishop from 1991 to 2008...
, where he has served since. He has held positions within the Nidaros Cathedral
Nidaros Cathedral
Nidaros Cathedral is a Church of Norway cathedral located in the city of Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. It was the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nidaros from its establishment in 1152 until its abolition in 1537. Since the Reformation, it has been the cathedral of the...
and most recently was the Dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of the Byåsen
Byåsen
Byåsen is a district in the city of Trondheim, Norway, situated to the west of the city centre. This is mainly a residential area, with 32 136 residents as of January 1, 2003. The name Byåsen can be translated into "City Hill", which describes its elevated position, overlooking the rest of...
deanery
Deanery
A Deanery is an ecclesiastical entity in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. A deanery is either the jurisdiction or residence of a Dean.- Catholic usage :...
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...
from 2004-2008. In 2008, the bishop of Nidaros, Finn Wagle
Finn Wagle
Finn Wagle is a theologian and a former bishop of Nidaros in the Church of Norway. He was also the Preses and thus presided over the Bishop's Conference in the Church of Norway from 2002 until 2006.-Career:Wagle enrolled as a student at MF Norwegian School of Theology in 1962, and graduated in...
retired and Singsaas was one of several nominees for that seat, and was consistently favored to win the appointment. He was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Nidaros
Diocese of Nidaros
Nidaros is a diocese in the Lutheran Church of Norway. It covers Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag counties and its cathedral city is Trondheim, which houses the well-known Nidaros Cathedral. The diocese is divided into 12 deaneries . Finn Wagle was the bishop from 1991 to 2008...
by the Norwegian Council of State
Norwegian Council of State
The Norwegian Council of State consists, according to the constitution of the prime minister and at least seven other ministers, the majority of which must belong to the state church. The current number of ministers is 20.-External links:*...
on 27 June 2008. He was consecrated as Bishop on 14 December 2008.