Gabriel Skagestad

Gabriel Skagestad was a Norwegian theologian and priest. He served as a bishop of the Diocese of Stavanger from 1940 until 1949. Skagestad was a key figure in the resistance movement of the church during the German occupation of Norway.

Personal life Gabriel Skagestad was born on 25 November 1879 in Holme Municipality in southern Norway. His parents were Tønnes Andreas Gulovsen Skagestad and his wife Else Knutsdatter. In 1913 he married Torborg Konsmo.

Education and career He began his theological education in 1899 and he received his cand.theol. degree in 1903. His first job was as a chaplain in Hadsel Municipality from 1903 to 1906. Next, he was a chaplain in Lyngdal Municipality from 1906 to 1909. He was a priest in Hetland Municipality from 1909 until 1913. From 1913 to 1922, he was the priest for the parish of Pipervika in Oslo. In 1922, he became the parish priest for Mandal Municipality. He held that job for four years. In 1926, he was called to become a professor at the MF Norwegian School of Theology seminary in Oslo. From 1933 to 1940, he served as the parish priest for the Saint Mark's Church in Oslo. In 1940, he was appointed to be the Bishop of the Diocese of Stavanger.