„Well set to embrace the future“
Trondheim/Norway. 11.09.2024 Bishop Erik Varden OCSO (50), Bishop Prelate of Trondheim and Apostolic Administrator of Tromsø, was elected new president of the Nordic Bishops’ Conference. Bishop Raimo Goyarrola (55), bishop of Helsinki, was elected vice-president. Bishop David Tencer (61), bishop of Reykjavik, was re-elected as the third member of the Permanent Council.
The retiring president, Bishop Czeslaw Kozon of Copenhagen will turn 75 during the next elective period and was therefore not eligible. He said in a statement: ‘With Bishop Erik Varden the Nordic Bishops’ Conference is well set to embrace the future.’ Cardinal Anders Arborelius, who will also soon turn 75, was likewise happy with the election. ‘Bishop Erik’, he remarked, ‘brings to this office a broad experience of government and a deep spirituality. The Nordic Bishops’ Conference remains in good hands’.
Secretary General unanimously confirmed
The long-serving secretary general of the conference, Sr Anna Mirijam Kaschner CPS (53) was unanimously confirmed in her office for a further four years. Sr Anna Mirijam has served as secretary general since 2009. The Nordic Bishops’ Conference was the first worldwide to open this office to a woman.
Commitment to Evangelization
Bishop Varden entered the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (the ‘Trappists’) in 2002. He was abbot of his monastery of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire, England from 2015 until his appointment as bishop in 2019. In a first statement he said: ‘The conference’s task is essential in order to nurture our endeavour of evangelisation through deep conversations and trustful friendship. The Catholic presence in our countries is growing. We want to accompany this growth intelligently and to support all good initiatives.’ He further stated: ‘Our post-secular society is opening itself anew to metaphysical questions and spiritual values. Many people are searching. Christ is and remains the light of the world, the goal of human existence! It is our responsibility to represent his credibly and faithfully.’
Bishop Erik varden is the first Norwegian-born bishop of Trondheim since the Reformation. His five predecessors were all German.
The Nordic Bishops’ Conference (Conferentia Episcopals Scandiae) is the co-operation body for the Catholic bishops in the Nordic countries of Europe (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland).
The Bishops’ Conference currently has 6 members who together represent the 7 Catholic dioceses and prelatures in the north.
The General Secretariat in Copenhagen liaises between the dioceses between the plenary assemblies and coordinates the work of the Bishops’ Conference. Since 2009, Sr Anna Mirijam Kaschner, Missionary Sister of the Precious Blood, has held the office of Secretary General.
The Catholic Church is a strong minority in the dioceses and prelatures. Around 350,000 Catholics live here, but the number is constantly increasing due to immigration from Catholic countries. The percentage of Catholics in the total population is between 0.3% and 4.2%.
Photo: The Nordic Bishops‘ Conference has elected a new presidency: Bishop Erik Varden (2.f.r.) is since 2020 bishop of the Prelature in Trondheim, since 2023 apostolic administrator oft he Prelature of Tromsø. Vicepresident is bishop Raimo Goyarrola (1.r.), Member of the Permanent Council is bishop David Tencer (2.f.l.). Sr. Anna Mirijam Kaschner cps (1.l.) was re-elected as Secretary General.
