Cardinal Parolin in Oslo: The multicultural Church in Norway is a gift from God

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin has pointed out that, in the face of open conflicts in Ukraine, the Holy Land and Burma, the commitment to peace is the Pope’s greatest diplomatic challenge today.

In an interview with EWTN News on Friday night in Oslo, the Norwegian capital, the cardinal also spoke about the church in Norway and, on Saturday, January 18, ordained the Norwegian bishop Frederik Hansen as the new bishop of Oslo at St. Olav’s Cathedral. The latter, barely 45 years old, has served in the Vatican diplomatic service until 2022.

“Of course, it is a church that, although numerically small, is very alive and very active. It is a sign of hope for the entire society of this country and in general for the Scandinavian countries,” commented Cardinal Parolin.

The cardinal also highlighted that the church in the Nordic countries distinguishes itself mainly “in the field of charity, mercy,” as well as in evangelization. Furthermore, the Church in these countries is “very, very close to the Pope and the Holy See.”

Cardinal Parolin assured: “Here there really is great closeness with the Pope, attention is paid to his teaching, his teaching and his suggestions.”

Church in Norway: Multicultural and “a gift from God”

The fact that the Catholic Church in Norway is made up of immigrants from more than 150 countries makes it a highly multicultural community, which, on the one hand, represents a “challenge,” according to the cardinal, but at the same time is a “gift from God.” “Through the contributions of people from different cultures, it is possible to create a “unique and singular church.” “Everyone can contribute with their spirituality, with their way of worship or their way of living the Gospel,” said the Cardinal. Parolin a EWTN News.

The Vatican’s top diplomat attributes the fact that in Scandinavian countries it is mainly young people who are attracted to the church to the fact that “people, in an increasingly secularized environment, long for the truth.”

In this sense, Pope Francis also plays an important role, who, through his commitment to people in the peripheries, gives them the recognition they need. The Cardinal stated: “There is a need to be heard and receive help to live in this very complicated world.”

Meeting with the king of Norway

The Secretary of State knows Bishop Frederik Hansen, the newly appointed bishop of Oslo, for his collaboration when the latter was part of the Pope’s diplomatic service in Vienna and in the Vatican’s permanent mission to the United Nations (UN) in New York . Cardinal Parolin highlighted that his work in that service was “very good”, although, as he added smiling, “his vocation was probably another.”

The cardinal continued: “But I believe that this experience has broadened his perspective and that he can make a good contribution to the growth of this Church, not only within the Catholic community, but also in the relationship with the Lutheran brothers.” Also in relations with the State and civil authorities, diplomatic experience can be useful, he added.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin arrived in Oslo on Friday morning and met with an audience with Norwegian King Harald V. He then also spoke with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

“They were very warm meetings,” the cardinal told EWTN News. He stressed the importance of strengthening relations with state authorities and added: “And as far as the Lutheran church is concerned, I think the cooperation between both parties is very good.”

Translated and adapted by ACI Prensa. Originally published in CNA Deustch.