(RNS) A Danish pastor was reinstated to his post May 29 after retracting statements made last year that he did not believe in God as his creator.

Thorkild Grosboll resumed preaching in a small town north of Copenhagen after "he reaffirmed his belief through a statement of faith pronounced at baptism," according to Ecumenical News International.

The pastor came under fire when he told a newspaper "there is no heavenly God, there is no eternal life, there is no resurrection," and again when he said "there is no longer a heavenly guarantee" during a sermon.

Critics of Grosboll called for a trial in clerical court, since ministers in the Lutheran Church of Denmark are employees of the state.

However, Grosboll did not face trial, and was welcomed back to his church Sunday with red wine and snacks.