Roman Catholicism in Denmark
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Church in Denmark is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church
, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope
and curia
in Rome
.
The number of Catholics in Denmark
, a predominantly Protestant country, comprises less than 1% of the population.
since Saint Ansgar
in the 10th century initiated a Danish mission. However, the Lutheran Reformation in 1536
meant a temporary end to Roman Catholicism in Denmark. In 1682, it was re-recognized by the Danish state, along with the Reformed Church and Judaism, although conversion to it from Lutheranism remained illegal. The constitution of 1849 provided for religious freedom and the Roman Catholic Church was again allowed to spread in Denmark, but it has never grown to become more than a small minority.
, who participates in the Scandinavian Bishops Conference
. Bishop Czeslaw Kozon resides in the St. Ansgar's Cathedral
, Copenhagen
, which is dedicated to the
patron saint
of Denmark.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Copenhagen covers the whole of the country, together with the Faroe Islands
and Greenland
, and as such is one of the largest Catholic dioceses by area in the world.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
and curia
Curia
A curia in early Roman times was a subdivision of the people, i.e. more or less a tribe, and with a metonymy it came to mean also the meeting place where the tribe discussed its affairs...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
The number of Catholics in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, a predominantly Protestant country, comprises less than 1% of the population.
History
The Roman Catholic Church has been present in the area that now constitutes the Kingdom of DenmarkDenmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
since Saint Ansgar
Ansgar
Saint Ansgar, Anskar or Oscar, was an Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen. The see of Hamburg was designated a "Mission to bring Christianity to the North", and Ansgar became known as the "Apostle of the North".-Life:After his mother’s early death Ansgar was brought up in Corbie Abbey, and made rapid...
in the 10th century initiated a Danish mission. However, the Lutheran Reformation in 1536
Reformation in Denmark
The Reformation in Denmark–Norway and Holstein was the transition from Roman Catholicism to Lutheranism in the realms ruled by the Copenhagen-based House of Oldenburg in the first half of the sixteenth century...
meant a temporary end to Roman Catholicism in Denmark. In 1682, it was re-recognized by the Danish state, along with the Reformed Church and Judaism, although conversion to it from Lutheranism remained illegal. The constitution of 1849 provided for religious freedom and the Roman Catholic Church was again allowed to spread in Denmark, but it has never grown to become more than a small minority.
Organization
The highest office in the Roman Catholic Church in Denmark has since 1995 been held by bishop Czeslaw KozonCzeslaw Kozon
Czeslaw Kozon is the Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Copenhagen. His parents were emigres from Poland who fled the Communist takeover of that country. He was appointed bishop in March 1995....
, who participates in the Scandinavian Bishops Conference
Scandinavian Bishops Conference
The Scandinavian Bishops Conference is an episcopal conference of Roman Catholic bishops covering the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. At present, it has 12 members who represent all seven of the Catholic dioceses in the Nordic countries...
. Bishop Czeslaw Kozon resides in the St. Ansgar's Cathedral
St. Ansgar's Cathedral
Saint Ansgar's Cathedral in Copenhagen, Denmark is the principal church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Copenhagen, which encompasses all of Denmark, including the Faroe Islands and Greenland.-History:...
, Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, which is dedicated to the
patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of Denmark.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Copenhagen covers the whole of the country, together with the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are an island group situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, along with Denmark proper and Greenland...
and Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
, and as such is one of the largest Catholic dioceses by area in the world.
See also
- Knud den HelligeCanute IV of DenmarkCanute IV, later known as Canute the Holy or Canute the Saint , was King of Denmark from 1080 until 1086. Canute was an ambitious king who sought to strengthen the Danish monarchy, devotedly supported the Roman Catholic Church, and had designs on the English throne. Slain by rebels in 1086, he was...
(1043–1086) – Danish king and saint. - Niels SteensenNicolas StenoNicolas Steno |Latinized]] to Nicolaus Steno -gen. Nicolai Stenonis-, Italian Niccolo' Stenone) was a Danish pioneer in both anatomy and geology. Already in 1659 he decided not to accept anything simply written in a book, instead resolving to do research himself. He is considered the father of...
(1638–1686) – a Dane beatified by Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul IIBlessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
.