Cardinal Parolin ordains new bishop of Oslo, highlighting Holy Spirit’s guidance

Oslo, Norway, Jan 18, 2025 / 09:45 am (CNA).

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, ordained a Norwegian prelate as the new Bishop of Oslo at St. Olav’s Cathedral on Saturday.

Frederik Hansen, who selected “Lex tua veritas” — Your law is truth — as his episcopal motto, succeeds Bishop Bernt Ivar Eidsvig CRSA in leading the increasingly diverse Catholic community within predominantly Lutheran Norway. The 45-year-old served in the Vatican’s diplomatic service under Parolin until 2022.

‘The first duty of a bishop’

In his sermon on Jan. 18, Parolin thanked Bishop Eidsvig, who had led the diocese for almost 20 years with his “generous service.”

The cardinal emphasized that “unceasing prayer and invocation of the Holy Spirit” constitute “the first duty of a bishop.”

“We cannot fully comprehend the enormity of His transforming power, but we can experience it in some measure if, like the Apostles, we remain open and docile to His action,” Parolin said.

Prelates from across Northern Europe attended the ordination, including bishops from all Nordic countries, Germany, and the United Kingdom. EWTN streamed the ordination in several languages, including German and Polish.

From diplomat to diocesan leader

Born to Lutheran parents in Drammen, Norway, in 1979, Hansen converted to Catholicism at age 20 and was ordained a priest almost eight years later by then-Bishop Eidsvig.

The prelate’s path to the priesthood led him through studies in Rome and work in the diplomatic service of the Holy See before joining the Sulpician order in 2022.

Pope Francis appointed him as coadjutor and eventual successor to Bishop Eidsvig last year.

In an interview with the National Catholic Register in November, Hansen said: “The international reality of the Catholic Church is mirrored in the Catholic Church in Scandinavia, which is very multicultural and multilingual. Our cathedral parish in Oslo, for example, has Sunday Masses in 11 languages.”

“We are the world Church on a local level,” he explained, referencing the large groups of Polish, Lithuanian, Filipino, Vietnamese, African and Latin American Catholics in the Nordic dioceses. 

A multicultural Church

Speaking about the Church in Norway, Parolin emphasized how Catholics from more than 150 countries have enriched the local church community.

“This diversity is both a challenge and a gift from God,” he said, noting how different cultural traditions contribute to creating “a unique and singular Church.”

The cardinal praised the Church in Scandinavia‘s commitment to charitable works and evangelization, particularly highlighting their welcome of refugees and immigrants. He also commended the “fraternal love” demonstrated in ecumenical cooperation with Lutheran Christians.

Before the ordination, Parolin met with Norway’s King Harald V and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

“These were very cordial meetings,” the cardinal told EWTN News, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner. Parolin emphasized the importance of strengthening relationships with civil authorities.

Pilgrims of hope

Looking toward the future, Parolin highlighted the significance of the jubilee year 2025, calling it an opportunity for “returning to the heart of Jesus.”

He encouraged the faithful to become “pilgrims of hope,” praying especially for regions affected by conflict, mentioning Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, and Sudan.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261641/former-vatican-diplomat-frederik-hansen-ordained-as-new-bishop-of-oslo