Odense dean appointed new bishop of Aarhus

His main challenge will be to reconnect the church with the people – particularly those living in the countryside

Henrik Wigh-Poulsen, the 56-year-old dean of Odense Diocese, has been appointed the new bishop of Aarhus.

Wigh-Poulsen will replace Kjeld Holm who has held the post for 21 years.

A clear winner
Two candidates competed for the post, but with 1,258 votes, Wigh-Poulsen was the clear winner.

His rival, Jens Maibom Pedersen, the head of Diakon School in Aarhus, got 761 votes.

More than 90 percent of voters took part in the election.

Getting closer to all believers
Wigh-Poulsen is already looking forward to his tasks.

“As a national church, we must be available to all people, both in the countryside as well as in the cities,” Wigh-Poulsen told DR.

“We need to look at the structural challenges.”

Wigh-Poulsen will begin his term on September 1 and will preside over a large district of northeast Jutland.

 




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