The Nordic Bishops’ Conference (NBK) is currently holding its autumn plenary assembly in Paderborn, Germany. The Catholic bishops of the Nordic countries are in the city at the invitation of the Archdiocese of Paderborn and Bonifatiuswerk, the German Catholic aid organisation.
On Wednesday, 23 September, the bishops visited Paderborn’s historic Town Hall, where they were welcomed by Mayor Stefan-Oliver Strate. During the visit, the bishops signed the city’s Golden Book.
The President of the NBK, Bishop Erik Varden OCSO of Trondheim, expressed his gratitude at the reception for the support that the Catholic local Churches in the Nordic countries have received from Germany over many decades. In his address, he also highlighted Blessed Niels Stensen, the Copenhagen-born scientist, priest and bishop who also served in Paderborn.
Bonifatiuswerk Secretary General Georg Austen, for his part, emphasised the close cooperation between the Nordic bishops and the aid organisation. During the plenary assembly, discussions have included the mission of the Church in an increasingly secularised society and how Christians can work together to promote Christian values, human dignity and freedom.
The Nordic Bishops’ Conference comprises the Catholic bishops of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. There are approximately 407,000 registered Catholics in the Nordic countries. Cooperation between the NBK and Bonifatiuswerk goes back several decades: the Nordic countries became a region supported by the organisation in 1974.
Fides / Bonifatiuswerk
Photo: Marcus Thielking / Bonifatiuswerk