The Bodnariu family with typical costumes when they were waiting for the fifth baby
A Norwegian Christian family has lost an appeal trial to see their children again, after the government took their five children from their home. The public has reacted with indignation.
Marius Bodnariu, a Romanian and his Norwegian wife, Ruth, both former members of the Pentecostal church in Bucharest, moved to Naustdal, Norway 10 years ago, where they raised five children.
As reported by Marius's brother, Daniel (who is a pastor of a Pentecostal church) on November 16, government youth protection agents took the two eldest sons of the Bodnariu family, showed up at their school and took them out of the class without informing their parents.
Later the police arrived at the Bodnarius family home and took two more children, leaving Ruth with her three-month-old baby, whom the police took the next day.
Two days later, the juvenile protection services notified the parents that their children were under the care of two separate adoptive families and were "integrating" well.
According to his testimony, one of the officials told Ruth, "the children do not even miss you. What kind of parents are you? "
Consequently, the director believed that parents needed the "guidance" of the government to raise their family. The principal also said he was concerned about discipline in the family home, since physical punishment was occasionally used.
But after a physical examination of the children (the three-month-old baby had X-rays and a CT scan), no physical abuse was discovered.
Juvenile Protection, however, maintains that Marius is violent, while he and Ruth vehemently deny the claims.
An audience on November 27 rejected the Bodnariu family's recourse to reunite with their children. The Court ruled that they should remain under the care of their adoptive parents, while Marius and Ruth could visit their three-month-old son twice a week for two hours.
They could see their two older children too, but the Court did not grant the right to visit their daughters. The parents are studying other legal actions.
Meanwhile, a petition has begun in support of the family and has collected almost 30,000 signatures, and a Facebook page documents the family's ordeal.
On December 2, Romanian senator Titus Corlatean spoke on behalf of the Bodnarius family to the Commission for Equality and Non-discrimination of the European Council's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) in Paris.
Corlatean condemned what he considers abusive behavior on the part of the Norwegian government and called for an investigation of the Assembly.
He also pointed to previous actions by Norwegian child protection services, which have separated children from their parents based on baseless allegations.
Marius' brother, pastor Daniel Bodnariu, writes: "I testify and swear vehemently, Marius and Ruth have fathered and raised a 'normal' family with Christian values, these parents love their children and have taken every conceivable step raising their children with loving care in all aspects of their well-being The separation of their family by the Barnevernet [child welfare services] is a nightmare in the life of Marius and Ruth.His hope is founded and rests in God; He can change any situation and is always in control. "
