Congregation leads service after Church of Denmark blocks priest hire

A congregation in Smidstrup held its Sunday service without a priest after the Church of Denmark halted new priest appointments until the new year, DR reports. The congregation’s chair, Helle Pedersen, led the service at Smidstrup Church, between Vejle and Fredericia.

The service included prayers and hymns, but no sermon or blessing, which Pedersen said can only be given by a priest. She took over rather than cancel the service, which had been planned for children and young people. Confirmands read prayers, scouts took part, and the congregation shared a meal afterwards.

The church’s previous priest left in May, and a temporary replacement worked there for four months. Two months ago, the church council was turned down when it sought to hire a permanent priest. Pedersen said the decision was due to the Church of Denmark’s finances and a lack of funds for new appointments.

Church districts told DR that around 28 priest positions are vacant across the country. Smidstrup has relied on priests from its deanery to lead services, and the number of services has been reduced. Churches take turns holding services on alternate Sundays, Pedersen said.

Congregants praised the service, though they said a priest would still be needed for occasions such as confirmations, weddings, baptisms and funerals. Pedersen said the congregation would need a priest again because much of the role involves work she cannot take on. The funding allocation used to pay priests will be replenished after the new year, allowing the church council to hire.