Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockholm facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Catholic Diocese of Stockholm Dioecesis Holmiensis Stockholms katolska stift
Coat of arms
Location
Country	Sweden
Metropolitan	Immediately Subject to the Holy See
Coordinates	59°18′50″N 18°04′21″E / 59.31389°N 18.07250°E / 59.31389; 18.07250
Statistics
Area	450,000 km2 (170,000 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2019) 10,290,832 122,000 ( 1.2%)
Parishes	44
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	29 June 1953
Cathedral	Saint Eric's Cathedral
Secular priests	158
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Cardinal Anders Arborelius

The Diocese of Stockholm is the only Catholic diocese in Sweden today. It covers the entire country of Sweden. This diocese is special because it does not belong to a larger church province. Instead, it works closely with other Catholic leaders in Nordic countries.

The main church for the diocese is Saint Eric's Cathedral. This important church is located in Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden. Before the Protestant Reformation, Sweden had many Catholic cathedrals. However, after the Reformation, most of these churches became part of the Church of Sweden.

History of the Catholic Church in Sweden

Early Catholic Dioceses

Before the Reformation in Sweden, there were several Catholic dioceses in the country. These included areas like Linköping and Lund. By the year 1550, all Catholic bishops in Sweden, including those in what is now Finland, had left their positions.

After the Reformation, many of these old dioceses were restarted. But they became part of the Church of Sweden, which is a different Christian church.

Catholic Church After the Reformation

In 1582, any Catholics still living in Sweden were placed under the care of a special church leader in Cologne. Later, in 1622, a new group called the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples was formed. This group took charge of spreading the Catholic faith in many parts of the world.

Sweden became part of a large mission area in 1688. This area was known as the Vicariate Apostolic of the Northern Missions. Bishops from Paderborn in Germany helped manage this mission.

Forming the Diocese of Stockholm

In 1781, the large mission area was divided. The Apostolic Prefecture of Sweden was created, covering Sweden and Finland. Just two years later, on September 23, 1783, this prefecture was upgraded. It became the Apostolic Vicariate of Sweden, with its main office in Stockholm.

Over time, the Vicariate of Sweden changed its coverage. Finland became a separate area in 1809. Norway joined the Vicariate in 1834, but its northern and southern parts later became separate missions.

Finally, on June 29, 1953, the Apostolic Vicariate of Sweden became the Diocese of Stockholm. This was a big step for the Catholic Church in Sweden. The diocese was named after its main city, Stockholm.

Important church leaders have visited the diocese. Pope John Paul II came in June 1989. Later, Pope Francis visited in October and November 2016.

People and Parishes

In 2019, about 122,000 Catholics were officially part of the diocese. This was about 1.2% of Sweden's total population. However, it is believed that around 150,000 Catholics live in Sweden. These people come from many different countries around the world.

The Diocese of Stockholm has 44 parishes. A parish is like a local church community. It also has 13 missions, which are smaller church groups. The diocese is served by 159 priests. There are also 31 deacons and 269 religious members, including brothers and sisters.

Leaders of the Diocese

Apostolic Vicars of Sweden

These leaders guided the Catholic Church in Sweden before it became a full diocese.

• Nicolaus Oster (1783–1790)
• Rafael d'Ossery (1790–1795)
• Paolo Moretti (1795–1804)
• Jean Baptiste Gridaine (1805–1833)
• Jacob Laurentius Studach (1833–1873)
• Johan Georg Huber (1874–1886)
• Albert Bitter (1886–1922)
• Johannes Erik Müller, O.S.B. (1922–1953)

Bishops of Stockholm

These are the bishops who have led the Diocese of Stockholm since it was established.

• Johannes Erik Müller, O.S.B. (1953–1957)
• Knut Ansgar Nelson, O.S.B. (1957–1962)
• John E. Taylor, O.M.I. (1962–1976)
• Hubertus Brandenburg (1977–1998)
• Cardinal Anders Arborelius (1998–present)

Auxiliary Bishops

An auxiliary bishop helps the main bishop.

• William Kenney, C.P. (1987–2006)

Images for kids

• 

  St Eric's Cathedral

See also

• List of Catholic dioceses in Europe