Church of Sweden
 Uppsala Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of the Church of Sweden | |
| Website | |
|---|---|
| www.svenskakyrkan.se |
The Church of Sweden (Swedish: Svenska kyrkan) is the largest Christian church in Sweden, and it is a member of the Lutheran World Federation. It was the state church of Sweden until 2000, when it was disestablished. The Church of Sweden is known for its liberal stance on various theological and social issues.
History[edit | edit source]
The Church of Sweden traces its roots back to the Christianization of Scandinavia in the 11th century. It became a separate entity from the Roman Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The Diet of Västerås in 1527 marked the official beginning of the Swedish Reformation, led by Gustav Vasa.
In 1531, Laurentius Petri was appointed as the first Lutheran Archbishop of Uppsala, solidifying the Lutheran orientation of the church. The Uppsala Synod of 1593 confirmed the Church of Sweden's adherence to the Augsburg Confession, a key document of Lutheran theology.
Organization[edit | edit source]
The Church of Sweden is organized into 13 dioceses, each led by a bishop. The Archbishop of Uppsala is the primate of the church. The church is governed by a General Synod, which meets regularly to discuss and decide on matters of doctrine, liturgy, and administration.
Beliefs and Practices[edit | edit source]
The Church of Sweden follows the Lutheran tradition, emphasizing the importance of the Bible, the sacraments, and the priesthood of all believers. It practices two sacraments: Baptism and Eucharist.
The church is known for its progressive stance on social issues, including the ordination of women (since 1960) and the blessing of same-sex unions (since 2009).
Membership[edit | edit source]
As of 2020, the Church of Sweden had approximately 5.8 million members, making it one of the largest Lutheran churches in the world. Membership has been declining in recent years, reflecting broader trends of secularization in Sweden.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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