Guðrún ordained as Bishop of Iceland at Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík

Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir was ordained as the Bishop of Iceland today in a ceremony held at Hallgrímskirkja. While she wishes to explore new approaches in her role, she does not intend to alter the church itself. Guðrún emphasized the need for greater visibility of the church’s work.

The ceremony was attended by a large congregation, including Icelandic bishops, priests, musicians, choirs, and singers. Bishops from various countries, including neighboring Nordic nations and regions as far as Palestine, also participated in the readings before Guðrún’s ordination, which was conducted by Agnes M. Sigurðardóttir.

Guðrún was dressed in a newly designed bishop’s cloak, the first of its kind specifically tailored for a woman in this century, created by Icelandic women. During her sermon post-ordination, she drew parallels between an unnamed woman in the Bible and the national church, stating that humility and quiet service should define its members.

Reflecting on recent national tragedies, she noted the need for the church to be more visible in its pastoral care and community service. Guðrún expressed her intention to find new methods to serve the people, recognizing that while she identifies as both progressive and traditional, it’s essential for the church to embody both qualities.

Importantly, she acknowledged the decreasing membership in the national church but expressed her commitment to making it a model church that embodies its values. Her first official act as bishop will be to meet with the team that organized today’s ceremony to express her gratitude for their efforts.