Rome: In a remarkable assembly framed by the Jubilee Year, the Nordic Bishops convened in Rome from September 1-5 for their Plenary Assembly, aligning their voices with Pope Leo XIV’s urgent calls for justice, peace, and a reinvigorated missionary Church.
Opening the gathering, Bishop Eril Varden of Trondheim stressed the pressing need for holiness, courage, and moral virtue in today’s fragmented world. “These are the qualities we must carry into a society marked by conflict and moral uncertainty,” he said, setting the tone for the deliberations ahead.
The assembly highlighted a growing interest in the Catholic faith across the Nordic countries, noting the rise in catechumens and converts. The Bishops emphasized that welcoming new members is only the beginning; nurturing them into mature, credible witnesses of the Gospel remains paramount.
A defining moment of the plenary was the private audience with Pope Leo XIV on Thursday. The Pontiff urged the Nordic Bishops to deepen ecumenical dialogue and embrace a vibrant missionary spirit. Responding to the Pope’s guidance, the Bishops announced the formation of an inter-Nordic synodal team to ensure that the fruits of the worldwide Synod of Bishops take root across all Nordic dioceses.
Bishop Varden underscored that synodality is already ingrained in Nordic ecclesial life. “Effective synodal structures exist in our context and are used productively,” he remarked, adding that the synodal journey must remain steadfastly Christ-centered.
Expressing profound concern over the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Bishop Bürcher, a long-time member of the Holy Land Commission, conveyed the Bishops’ solidarity with suffering populations. “The war, the suffering in Gaza, and the hostages still imprisoned these events cause our hearts to bleed,” he said. Echoing the Pope’s appeal, the Nordic Bishops called for the immediate release of hostages, a permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian aid, and full respect for international law.
In a pastoral gesture, the Bishops invited the faithful to pray for lasting peace in the Holy Land, particularly on the upcoming Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a celebration deeply connected to the region.
The assembly concluded with a reaffirmation of the Nordic Bishops’ mission: to serve as a beacon of unity, hope, and faith in a world yearning for meaning, justice, and reconciliation.