Norwegian couple lose children for being 'very Christian'

'Children can see things differently, and sometimes misinterpret some of our actions, or certain events'

Barnevernet, Child Welfare Services of Norway, removed five children from Marius and Ruth Bodnariu after the Bodnariu parents were accused of radicalizing and indoctrinating their kids with Christianity.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to World Magazine, the Bonarius sent their daughters to school. The girls never came home and the next day the Bodnariu boys were taken by the Norwegian government.

Both Marius and Ruth are practicing Christians and their faith got their children removed from their home.

Cristian Ionescu, a relative of the Bodnarius, told World Magazine that the two Bondariu girls were taken from school without their parent's consent or knowledge and later the same day police arrived at the family's home to remove two of the three sons.

The 3-month-old son was left with Ruth. She called Marius, who was at work as an IT engineer for the mayor's office. Marius rushed home and the couple immediately turned to the police station for answers. Unfortunately, they were turned away with no more information than they had when they arrived.

The next day, police returned to the Bodnariu home to remove the baby with claims that Ruth's tears at the police station "posed a danger to the child."

Two days after their youngest boy was taken, Barnevernet officials told the couple their children were "integrating well" in two separate foster homes. 

Church Militant reported one of the officials telling Ruth, "The kids don't even miss you. What kind of parents are you?"

The Bodnarius' were later notified by the government that their children were removed under charges of "Christian radicalism and indoctrination."

The children's removal was initiated by the school principal, who told Barnevernet the Bodnarius' were "very Christian," and their belief that God punishes sin "creates a disability in the children."
Though the principal admitted the girls showed no signs of physical abuse, she insisted their parents required "help and guidance."

After Barnevernet workers questioned the girls, the children claimed they hid things from their parents to avoid punishments including having an ear pulled or slaps across their bottoms or their head. Neither expressed fear in returning home.

Concerns over discipline in the home were cited by the unnamed principal, but a physical exam - including x-rays and a CT scan of the toddler - revealed no physical abuse.

Despite the lack of evidence, Barnevernet claims Marius is physically abusive.

Both Bodnarius parents deny they are in any way abusive, but at a hearing on November 27, the Bodnarius' appeal to have their children back was dismissed. The court ruled the children would remain with their foster parents and the youngest son could be visited twice each week for only two hours.

The older sons were allowed visits as well, but the court refused to allow visitation rights for either of the daughters. 

When questioned, one of the girls claimed the baby once reached up and removed Marius' glasses from his face, so her father shook her brother "as a rag."

When confronted with the girl's view of events, Marius explained he leaned over the baby and was thrilled when the boy reached for the first time toward him, so he picked his son up and bounced him.

"Children can see things differently, and sometimes misinterpret some of our actions, or certain events," relative Daniel Bodnariu wrote. "You can easily manipulate a child to say something that is not true. The law in Norway gives almost total credibility to the child and none to the parent. Some situations are seen differently by children [and] it seems a monstrosity to exploit this to the detriment of the family."

In a later interrogation, the daughter who shared the story of the baby and her father said, "I am tired. I don't know what else to make up."

Despite the child's response, all five of the Bodnariu children remain in foster care. 

Barnevernet has been accused of "kidnapping" children of immigrant families due to prejudice and cultural misunderstandings. The number of children removed from their homes is so high that a website called StopBarnevernet was created to profile families originating from other countries who have had their children removed.

In response to the removal of the Bodnariu children, an online petition has been circling the internet with a goal of 50,000 signatures. As of January 26, the number of signatures totaled over 57,000. To sign the petition, click here.

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