The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Catholic Mission and Conversion in Scandinavia: Some Reflections on Religion, Modernization, and Identity Construction

På svenska

Author

Summary, in English

The relation between mission, religious conversion and identity construction is the subject of my paper. On a concrete level, I discuss the Catholic mission and conversions in Scandinavia from the middle of nineteenth century to the present time. Up to the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the Catholic Church strongly emphasised its claim to be the only true Church, and as a consequence, all non-Catholic regions were regarded as missionary areas. Most of the priests and sisters working in Scandinavia were foreigners, whereas converts from Protestantism dominated the parishes. I pay special attention to the question of national and religious identity and the changing discourses of Catholic conversion, reflected in conversion narratives.

Department/s

Publishing year

2010

Language

English

Publication/Series

Scandinavian Journal of History

Volume

1

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Routledge

Topic

  • History

Keywords

  • identity constructions
  • Scandinavia
  • Catholic mission
  • conversion narratives

Status

Published

Project

  • Religionsbyten – individ, samfund, samhälle

Research group

  • Konversionsprojektet

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1502-7716