Minister Is Back After Denying God’s Existence

COPENHAGEN — A Lutheran minister who was suspended for claiming that neither God nor the afterlife existed was allowed to return to work as a preacher. But the local bishop vowed to keep an eye on him.

Thorkild Grosboel, pastor of Taarbaek, “has apologized for his comments that caused doubts about the church’s confession of faith,” said Bishop Lise-Lotte Rebel of the Helsingoer diocese, which includes the town of 51,000 just north of Copenhagen.

“Because he has expressed his understanding about his obligations, the bishop has decided to remove the suspension,” she said in a statement. However, Rebel said she would monitor Grosboel.