starting point for the bishopric in a diocese of great ecclesiastical and cultural diversity."Lindø also highlighted Øygard's knowledge of the Sami language, culture, and religious practices. Speaking at the conference, Øygard told the press that he felt honored and humbled to have been elected, saying, "At first I thought to myself if I was what the diocese needs. But when I saw that many wanted me during the negotiations, the desire to be a bishop emerged in me." As bishop Øygard's episcopal ordination took place on 9 November 2014 at the Tromsø Cathedral. Beginning on 1 January 2017, the state relieved itself of financial and other responsibilities for the Church of Norway. As a result, Øygard began overseeing the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland's transition to fiscal independence. Speaking to the newspaper Harstad Tidende, Øgard said that although he was happy to see the achievement of separation of church and state, it was likely that the diocese would enter a period of financial difficulty, with the new responsibility of paying the salaries of 90 priests and 15 administrative employees. He said that as a result, the diocese would have to decrease the number of worship services and vacate about ten positions over the course of the year due to lack of funds. Views When asked about his theology, Øygard has described himself as an "ordinary MF theologian" who is "about in the middle of the Church." He emphasizes that faith in Jesus Christ unites the Church, while still advocating tolerance for other views. On his Church of Norway profile during the bishops' elections in 2014, he described his views as follows:"With my theology, I am keen to emphasize that our religion is linked to the belief in certain historical events, first and foremost the death and resurrection of Jesus. If we do not believe that this has happened, faith becomes meaningless. I certainly believe that the Bible also helps us in ethical questions, but realizes that it is difficult to give concrete ethical advice in a time that is so different from the time when the Bible revelation was given. I have a strong commitment to people with mental retardation. When the churches integrate mentally disabled people in a good way, this helps to strengthen a human view that values man because he is created by God and fellowship with him, and not of what human beings are capable of performing." Personal