Christen Worm

Christen Willumsen Worm (10 June 1672 – 9 October 1737) was a Danish theologian and Bishop of the Diocese of Zealand from 1711 until his death.

It was returned to Oxford shortly thereafter, though rumor spread that Worm had intentionally stolen the document for monetary gain, an accusation which came forth in a 1737 publication.

As a member of the Copenhagen Poverty Commission (Danish: Københavns Fattigkommission), Worm defended their act which banned alms in ordinance with an older law.

This brought him into conflict with the diocesan provst Jacob Lodberg, who preached against the law in defiance of Worm's authority as Bishop.

Worm complained to the King when the argument fell in Lodberg's favor, and unwisely said that he was unable to enforce his rule as priest.

Worm's strongest opponent became the theological professor Hans Bartholin, who inserted himself as an authority within Zealand's bishopric.

Worm opposed Bartholin and his 1724 commission, which was ordered by Frederik IV to investigate claims of embezzlement among various high clergy members.