A flashpoint of Catholic faith and life in the Western liberal democracies is occurring in an unusual place: Iceland.
The Church has been in the headlines this month in the North Atlantic island nation, a rather unusual occurrence, after Fr. Jakob Rolland, chancellor of the Catholic Church in Iceland, gave an interview with state broadcaster RÚV that delved into the Church’s position on LGBT issues. Capital [Reykjavík] Region police have announced they will examine the priest’s remarks and determine whether to launch a criminal investigation.
The law in question is a 2023 parliamentary statute banning so-called “conversion therapy” of LGBT-identifying individuals. Critics of Fr. Rolland’s comments assert that the Catholic Church aims to “convert” the sexual orientations of Icelanders, even if the methods do not correspond to a traditional understanding of “therapy.” They claim adherence to Catholic teaching on this topic and refusal of the Eucharist to those living in same-sex relationships represent forms of conversion therapy.
Asked whether he feels compelled to follow the law on these matters, Fr. Rolland responded, “Yes, as long as the laws align with God’s laws, then it’s fine. It has been known in law from the very beginning that when the laws of the land and God’s laws conflict, God’s laws apply.”
Pressed on these matters in 2019, Fr. Rolland told a journalist, “If two women came to us and wanted to marry, then I’d say, ‘Unfortunately, that won’t work for us.’ If they wanted to press charges, I’d say, ‘Do it.’ If I go to prison, then I go to prison, but it won’t change my position.”
North Americans, generally accustomed to the intersection of Catholicism and hot-button social issues, should understand this episode through the lens of a missionary Church. In that sense, the Church in Iceland more closely resembles that of China than that of mainland Europe. One recent article in Icelandic media began by describing the Eucharist and its role in Catholicism to an uninformed audience. The landscape is not comparable to once-Catholic strongholds like Ireland and Spain, where the Church is a frequent punching bag of politicians and other public figures. In Iceland, Catholicism is still a curiosity, a byproduct of the unprecedented inward migration of recent decades.
Fr. Rolland, like most of his counterparts in Iceland, is a missionary priest. A Frenchman who has lived in Iceland for decades, he changed his first name to be more Icelandic–“no one here could say Jacques,” he explained in a 1999 interview. Nearly all Catholic priests in Iceland are foreigners, with the majority coming from Poland and neighboring countries in Central Europe.
Fr. Rolland’s interview comments, then, will strike an American reader as firm but charitable. “Sexual orientation is only one factor among many that concern an individual’s tendencies towards some lifestyle that is not good for the individual and not good for society,” he maintained. “And ‘conversion’—change of heart—this is a key word in the daily life of Catholic people. We are constantly in the position of turning away from what is evil towards what is good.”
He later noted, “Everyone who comes to church has their problems and sins, struggling to some degree with bad tendencies towards something. Everyone is kneeling, sometimes crying before God, before the statue of the Holy Virgin Mary, and asking for help. We are all really in the same position.”
He has affirmed in recent interviews that Catholics with homosexual inclinations may receive the Eucharist, but not if they are engaged in intimate same-sex relationships. “All belong in the Church and may call upon God to receive cleansing of the soul and reach the Kingdom of Heaven,” he stated. On the politically loaded topic of “conversion,” sure to be a focus of any potential criminal investigation, he stated, “No, there are no organized suppression therapies, just people talking together…People talk to a priest and seek advice. Then there are people who want support in their spiritual life. They come to us, come to church, come to prayer services, to Mass. It is primarily in this area that we can help.”
Though Iceland is nominally Lutheran, it has been thoroughly secularized in recent decades, like its mainland European cousins. In a scenario familiar to Catholics, the societal position of the Lutheran Church of Iceland has collapsed, and LGBT advocacy has arguably become the de facto manifestation of an Icelandic state religion. As such, animosity toward Fr. Rolland and the Catholic Church has been severe.
“It’s important to realize that even though he talks about it being just conversations, it is suppression therapy, no matter how organized it is,” asserted Bjarndís Helga Tómasdóttir, chairwoman of Samtökin 78, an Icelandic LGBT-advocacy organization. “This is a crime and should be investigated as such.”
Last week, Sigmundur Ernir Rúnarsson, of the Social Democratic Alliance, raised the issue in the Alþingi (Parliament) and insisted Icelandic society differs from the one the Catholic Church promotes. “What is the message to the gay and transgender people in the country? … It is, ‘Shame on you. Shame on you for your sexual orientation.’”
“I’m sorry if my Church is considering breaking the law,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, who counts among the small number of ethnically Icelandic Catholics. “I appeal to my Church: Don’t get involved in something like this, don’t go against the law, and don’t go against diversity.”
The controversy is intertwined with the topic of migration, as nearly all Catholics are recent arrivals from countries like Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, and the Philippines. Some defending Fr. Rolland have opined that Islam, another newcomer religion in Icelandic society, with beliefs likely to run afoul of the LGBT establishment, is unlikely to encounter similar criticism.
“Dealing with the clergy of the small denominations, that’s one thing,” remarked political scientist Baldur Þórhallsson in 2019. At that time, the new state religion was finalizing its rout of the old one, Lutheranism. “I can totally apologise on behalf of the Church [of Iceland] for having come out and hurting people this way [previous opposition to same-sex unions],” said Lutheran bishop Agnes M. Sigurðardóttir. “I’m happy to apologise for that.”
Now comprising an estimated four percent of the Icelandic population, Catholicism is becoming too big to ignore. Reykjavík’s Landakotskirkja often draws standing-room crowds for Masses in Polish, Icelandic, and English. It is not uncommon, for example, to see groups of Filipinos attending a Polish-language Mass. In Ísafjörður, the largest town in the secluded Westfjords region, Catholics gather in a small house-turned-church for a trilingual Icelandic-English-Polish Mass.
The burgeoning ranks of the faithful eagerly fulfill their spiritual needs in an Icelandic Church that lay nearly dormant for over four centuries.
In this environment, Fr. Rolland exudes hope. Asked about bucking the trend of LGBT-issue prominence in Icelandic society, he recalled, “Yesterday I had a meeting for people who want to learn more about the Catholic faith and the Church’s teachings. And it was just a large group, and the vast majority were young people. So maybe it’s also part of the zeitgeist to be looking for an anchor, for answers to life’s questions. You want to find security and a sanctuary and community, and that’s the kind of people who come to us.”
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A priest with a spine. How refreshing!! I wish him well.
Lord, forgive those pious hypocrites of hatred.
Exactly. Deo gratias
God Bless and protect him for standing for The Truth. God will not be mocked.
No kidding. I wonder who his bishop is, and when the inevitable “episcapology” will come, followed by this priest’s removal from public ministry…
We need to pray for these good priests upholding GOD’S LAW not man’s law.
Brave, courageous Fr Rolland! It takes incredible goodness of soul and spirit to stand up for God’s laws on sexual surgeries and same sex marriage. Question: I don’t understand the arrogance of those trying to change the Catholic teaching on marriage between a man and woman. Why don’t they go to a non-Catholic pastor to do the ceremony? Oh, I see they want to be called catholic but not follow what is God’s creation and marriage vow rules. However, prayers for our brothers and sisters who are practicing gay and hopefully the light will shine and wake them up.
Hopefully Washington and/or the Vatican will have something to say about this.
Washington’s business?
My hope is this priest becomes the Arch Bishop of Chicago.
Amen.
Calling enlightenment that takes you from being gay into being straight “Repression therapy” is an aberration. People leave homosexuality all over the world for all sorts of reasons!
The foreign minister is the most pathetic person in this whole article! Her toading shows no moral backbone, unlike her priest! The Parable of the sower and the seed readily comes to mind! Prayers for her, her noble priest and all of Iceland, Ave Maria!
Praise to you, Father Rolland Morality is not determined by a poll or vote, but by the Word of God. Many times has the Church been harassed by culture or government for speaking the Truth with love and grace
May God bless and protect this good Priest
Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God.🙏
There was a video made recently about Protestant and Catholic families who formed a Christian community in Denmark. One family had ” escaped ” from Iceland because of the way the world view described in the article was being enforced in the schools and culture.
I honestly would have guessed Denmark to be similar in that but apparently not.
Unbelievable. This set of laws is ridiculous. It is an ABOMINATUON.
Excellent. A man of courage and faith. Right is right and wrong is wrong
We know that a Catholic is proclaiming the Truth i.e. Christ which the Catholic Church teaches when there is persecution or any kind of push-back by the agents of secular culture! A persecuted Church is a Church that is fulfilling its mission.
Fr. Rollands stands for truth. Truth in the Catholic faith. Truth in God’s teaching! May God bless this faithful priest and his ministry.
Why are they coming after any church that stands on scripture? This is a form of religious oppression too. After all those who choose to live in opposition ( which is certainly their right ) to the churches teachings may simply find one that aligns with their beliefs. No one is forcing anyone into attending any church. In other words if you hate chickens don’t live in the henhouse. Blessings Father Rolland
It is very hard for me to stomach the ugly atrocities and the normalization of the lgbtq movement when it is anything but normal and certainly NOT spiritually healthy for any society…God created mankind for a good purpose and that lifestyle goes against God’s good purpose that He has intended for us…that movement is an abomination against God spiritually and in a secular context at the very least it is considered to be a mental health disorder and should be treated as such
I pray for Father Rolland and the Church in Iceland. The Church in Iceland is like the early Church. It too was persecuted. Jesus said that a man and a woman cleve together and become one flesh. God bless the Church in Iceland. I will also pray for the conversion of Iceland.
As a practicing Catholic, I’m disgusted that any priest would try to change a child of God. Anyone found using any conversion therapy tactics should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, clergy or layperson.
You are a practicing Catholic only in your mind mind. The only thing you are practicing is self-delusion.
Did you even read the article? The priest affirmed the church’s teaching on homosexuality. You say you’re a practicing Catholic, so can you confirm that you believe that same sex acts are a sin? If no, you will need to reconsider how to identify yourself. It is not “conversion therapy” to tell anyone that same sex acts are a sin. Celibacy is not harmful.
A child of God does not live a homosexual lifestyle, and you are not a practicing Catolic if you support, excuse, and defend homosexuality.
A child of God is neither cruel nor rude to others. Yet all Athanasius does is constantly and consistently tear others down with an immature and offensively b!+chy mean girl attitude.
Your pisspoor attitude shines a gigantic, bright light beacon on the fact that you are not a a good Catholic and you’re a horrible example of a “child of god”
Be better, ma’am.
Mmmmmm, yes, that’s right there in the Ten Commandments. “Thou shalt not hurt anyone’s precious ickwe feewings, especially by pointing out the truth.”
Kenneth B: Rather than attacking Athanasius’ person why don’t you state how you disagree with what he’s written?
Stating the truth is not rude or cruel. Perhaps you might explain to us all why you are defending a homosexual lifestyle. Is that position consistent with Catholic teaching?
Beth, you have much to learn. My advice is speak little and listen to those who are wiser than you.
Taking up your cross applies to everyone.
Beth, we are more than our attractions. Attraction can be confused with identity.
“Beauty is only skin deep”
Or, “I’m pretending I’m more than I ain’t.”
“As a practicing Catholic, I’m disgusted that any priest would try to change a child of God. Anyone found using any conversion therapy tactics should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, clergy or layperson.”
Who has never been motivated to post here before. Interesting.
You’re “disgusted that any priest would try to change a child of God”? But the sacraments, starting with Baptism, change every soul every day by imparting grace. In the Gospels, which are read at all masses, Jesus Himself is constantly urging his listeners to change their lives and beliefs. Do you object to the Lord trying to “change” people? Do you object to any sort of conversion from any kind of evil–or just from homosexuality? If a “child of God” is a habitual thief or liar, would you be “disgusted” with a priest’s attempts to “change” him? Or, for that matter, the efforts of parents, teachers, guidance counselors or even the police and courts to try to “change” this “child of God?” I’d be interested in hearing your reasoning.
Fr. Roland, thank you for standing up for our Catholic faith. You are truly an inspiration for all Catholic priests throughout the world!
Recently, I gave a homily concerned with IVF, explaining—charitably, I hope, but also clearly and firmly–that, although the procedure’s objective of helping parents conceive is commendable, its means are “morally unacceptable” (CCC #2377). Frankly, I expected a firestorm, but numerous parishioners and visitors approached me after Mass, saying that they had never before heard about the horrors properly associated with IVF. My point that IVF is not pro-life stunned many of them. As Catholics we are called, not just to disobey laws contrary to the moral order (see Acts 5:29; CCC #1903 and #2242), but to “awaken in each man the love of the true and the good” (CCC #2105). The psychological need of bishops, priests, and deacons to be popular does not square with—and in fact subverts—our first duty, which is always to the Truth (John 12:42-43, Gal 1:10). Iceland’s Father Rolland is simply (and commendably!) acting as a priest of Christ (Lk 17:10). Those who do not understand Father Rolland’s position ought to be educated in and by the Catechism (#1601, #1783) and by a thoughtful reading of Robert Bolt’s play A Man for All Seasons. All Catholics, especially in this time of moral confusion, should hear and heed St. Josemaria Escriva: “If you are to serve God with your mind, to study is a grave obligation for you.”
Mrs. Cracker – I’d be interested in that video. I’m rather shocked at the anti-Catholic hostility of Iceland as reflected in this article.
Deacon Toner – Many well-meaning Catholics are not aware of the moral problems associated with IVF. Ditto euthanasia/assisted suicide. Even abortion. Most people, including Catholics, get their views from the (ubiquitous and very loud) mainstream media.
Bishop Sheen preached on the problems and its effects on society, associated with the very vocal minority. 60 or 70 years later it has just intensified, not abated.
Good morning Miss Cleo. The video is 40 some minutes long and I think is titled The Last Christians of Denmark. You can find it on YouTube. It’s a lovely and encouraging thing to watch.
Here’s an example of the clergy in some parts of the USA. Remember Nick Sandman?
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/diocese-investigation-finds-catholic-school-students-werent-to-blame-for-national-mall-encounter-with-native-americans/565/
Mrs. Cracker – watched the video – I think those folks are like the people here who are looking for authentic Christian community, homeschooling, etc.
Oh, and having babies. You know, little humans.