Oslo, Norway - The Church of Norway has forced a priest to resign from a panel set to judge bikini-clad women competing to be the country's Miss Universe contestant.
Einar Gelius, an Oslo Lutheran vicar, had said it was his right to do as he wished during his spare time, but church members said that as a clergyman he always represented the Church and should not be seen to be judging other humans.
"This competition represents a view of humans that is not in accordance with the Church's," said Arne Groeningsaeter, head of the Oslo diocese council, a state body that hires priests.
"The Church should preach that we are all equal and this competition's view of women is particularly disturbing."
The panelists were to judge 12 women between the ages of 17 and 22 to choose a Norwegian contestant for the global Miss Universe final.
The show's audience get to choose which woman will become Norway's contestant for the Miss World competition.
The women parade in front of the judges first in fashion wear, then in evening dress and finally in bikinis.
Gelius resisted pressure to resign for a week until he was asked to do so by the Bishop of Oslo.