A priest in Västra Götaland, dubbed the 'punk priest', has prevailed against the municipality following a complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO). The priest was warned by the diocese after an anonymous complaint about punk music and strong beer at a parish hall, but JO criticizes the municipality's forwarding of the tip.
A priest and his colleague were warned by the diocese following a gathering last autumn at a parish hall in Västra Götaland. A private individual anonymously complained to the municipality that music from a local punk band could be heard all the way to the church, and strong beer was served. The municipality forwarded the tip to the diocese, resulting in the warning. The priest then reported the municipality to the Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO) for improper exercise of authority. JO now criticizes the municipality for this, according to Göteborgs-Posten (GP). 'It feels so unusual to win against a municipality. It's fantastic,' the priest tells GP. He feels relieved and plans to celebrate with a beer in the evening. The municipality's security chief has previously stated that they are prepared to change routines if necessary.
