The case against the supposedly religious man starts in a East Finnmark court in February next year.
The minister is accused of using excessive force to discipline his children and assault his wife. He is said to have agressively spanked his son on exposed skin and pulled his ears. He also regularly beat his wife, strangled her, and threatened her with a knife over a period of ten years that began in 2003.
The man denies all charges, reported the newspaper Finnmarken.
His defence lawyer, Thomas Øiseth, would not comment as to whether his client admitted to specific cases of violent behaviour.
Øiseth said: “It has been a tough time for him, waiting for a conclusion. He looks forward to the case coming up in court so that it can be looked at from several angles.”
Acting bishop in North Hålogaland, Herborg Finnset, said it is too early to say what will be the consequences of the case affecting the accused minister's position within the church. Police chief John-Kåre Olsen added, the man's job as minister will not be an issue in court.
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