Norway: Judge rules in favour of Christian couple, baby Ezekiel to be returned

The Bodnariu family.

A Norwegian judge has ruled that the baby son of the Bodnariu family should be reunited with his parents.

Ezekiel Bodnariu was removed from their custody with his four older siblings by Norway's controversial Barnevernet or child welfare service last November.

The judge also ruled that Marius and Ruth Bodnariu should see the two older boys twice a week for two hours at a time.

Marius, a Romanian, and Ruth, a Norwegian, were suspected of parental child abuse and religious indoctrination after one of the daughters told her headteacher that they spanked the children as a disciplinary measure.

Formerly members of the Philadelphia Pentecostal Church in Bucharest, Marius and Ruth moved to Norway 10 years ago to start a family there and live in Naustdal on the west coast. Corporal punishment is illegal in Norway, and schools are obliged to report it.

The case has highlighted other examples of Barnevernet removing children from their parents. Mixed or migrant families are particularly vulnerable.

article,article,article,article Related

A petition calling for the return of the Bodnariu children has drawn around 60,000 signatures and hundreds of Christians have demonstrated outside Norwegian embassies across Europe.

The family's spokesman, Pastor Cristian Ionescu, wrote in a statement: "This ruling is a step in the judicial process and does NOT end the Bodnariu's appeal or fight to regain full and unhindered custody of ALL of their FIVE children. The battle for the children continues!"

He encouraged supporters to join a day of protest on April 16.

Barnevernet has refused to comment on the case, citing privacy issues.

related articles
Norwegian Christian couple lost their children over \'spanking\', not religion, says activist
Norwegian Christian couple lost their children over 'spanking', not religion, says activist

Norwegian Christian couple lost their children over 'spanking', not religion, says activist

Moving scenes as Marius Bodnariu sees sons for first time in three months
Moving scenes as Marius Bodnariu sees sons for first time in three months

Moving scenes as Marius Bodnariu sees sons for first time in three months

Bodnariu family\'s Christian faith led to removal of children, says lawyer
Bodnariu family's Christian faith led to removal of children, says lawyer

Bodnariu family's Christian faith led to removal of children, says lawyer

Christian couple Marius and Ruth Bodnariu pray and fast for return of 5 children

Christian couple Marius and Ruth Bodnariu pray and fast for return of 5 children

News
Church of England's parliament backs new law to support Armed Forces chaplains
Church of England's parliament backs new law to support Armed Forces chaplains

On Saturday, as many were watching the men’s doubles players battle it out on Centre Court at Wimbledon, the General Synod of the Church of England sat down to discuss a Measure (or law) to regularise the ministry of Church of England’s Chaplains to the Armed Forces.   

Church of England approves £1.6 billion funding package for next three years
Church of England approves £1.6 billion funding package for next three years

The Church of England's parliamentary body has approved a spending package for the next three years to the tune of £1.6 billion. 

Low birth rate and soaring abortions are a sign of 'cultural rot', says pro-life group
Low birth rate and soaring abortions are a sign of 'cultural rot', says pro-life group

In some parts of the country, nearly half of pregnancies end in abortion

Pentecostal Church demolished by Sudanese forces
Pentecostal Church demolished by Sudanese forces

It's not the first time a church has been targeted in Sudan