A new parish founded in South-Iceland

The Parish of the Holy Cross

After years of building up parish work in South Iceland in the parish of Mary, Star of the Sea, Reykjavik and a significant increase in parish membership in this region, Bishop David B. Tencer OFMCap of the Diocese of Reykjavik has established a new parish in South Iceland. The parish was officially established on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Sunday, September 14th 2025.

The name of the new parish is connected to the history of the Catholic Church in Iceland, as in Kaldadarnes, there stood a cross that pilgrims stopped by on their way to Skalholt, the episcopal seat in South Iceland. It was also revered by the locals, especially the elderly and the sick, who believed that it had healing powers.

Fr. Mercurio Claudio Rivera III, priest at Asbru and previously priest at St. Mary’s Church and in Selfoss, has been appointed parish priest. Fr. Mercurio is from the Philippines and has been a priest for the Catholic Church in Iceland since the beginning of 2021.

He will be welcomed to the parish in a Mass held on Sunday, October 5th in the chapel at Smaratun 12.

The boundaries of the new parish shall follow the boundaries of South Iceland (Arnessysla, Rangarvallasysla, Vestmannaeyjar and Vestur-Skaftafellssysla). This area will no longer belong to the St. Mary´s Parish. The parish church shall be the new church in Selfoss at Moavegur 6, but for the time being, services will be held in the chapel at Smaratun 12 in Selfoss. It will also be the residence of the parish priest until the construction of the new church is completed.