Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Tromsø

The Prelature of Tromsø (Latin: Territorialis Praelatura Tromsoeanus ) is a Catholic Territorialprälatur based in Tromsø. It is headed by a bishop, but does not have the status of a diocese. Since the term Prelature is unknown in Norway, where the term pin is used. In practice, it works like a diocese. Thus, it would be the most northerly of the world also. It includes Northern Norway (Nordland, Troms and Finnmark ) with an area of 175,000 km ² ( Spitsbergen and the North Cape included), but is also responsible for only about 3,000 Catholics.

History

After the Catholic Church in Norway was rebuilt in 1843, it was initially a part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Sweden. In 1855 the area Northern Norway was a part of the Apostolic Prefecture for the Arctic area (see North Pole mission ) located in Alta. 1869 Northern Norway was incorporated from the dissolved North Pole mission in the new Prefecture of Norway, which in 1892 raised to the Apostolic Vicariate. In 1931, with the Breve Paterna caritas by Pius XI. the Vicariate Apostolic of Norway is divided into three regions, and Northern Norway became the Mission District. On March 10, 1944 this was with the Bull Maiori dignitatis by Pius XII. elevated to the Apostolic Prefecture, on 18 February 1955, the bull Quoniam arcana to the Vicariate and on 28 March 1979 with the Bull Qui volente by John Paul II finally to Territorialprälatur.

Current situation

There are seven parishes, eleven churches and 10 priests. Of the clergy who serve the faithful of this diaspora, only one is endemic. The rest come from the diocese of Passau and from Poland. The communities of the diocese are constantly growing, albeit at a low level. This is due to both the inflows and the growth of the local population as well as the mostly African refugees who have found a new home in northern Norway. Through the help of the sponsors of the Diaspora 's charity, which alone amounted in 2004 to € 170,000 in donations and membership fees, projects such as the construction of a Catholic elementary school in Bodo can be addressed.

Parishes

The Prelature includes parishes in Tromso, Bodo, Hammerfest, Harstad, Mosjøen, Narvik and Storfjorden.

Pastors

Superiore of Northern Norway

  • Henrik Irgens ( Apostolic Administrator 1931-1932 )
  • John Strong MSF (1932-1939)
  • Johann Wember MSF (1939-1944)

Prefect Apostolic of Northern Norway

  • Johann Wember MSF (1944-1955)

Vicars Apostolic of Northern Norway

  • Johann Wember MSF (1955-1976)
  • John B. Przyklenk MSF (1976-1977)
  • Walter Huijbregts MSF ( Provicar 1977)

Prelate of Tromsø

  • Berislav Grgic (from 2009)
Ecclesiastical province Friar Alta, Norway Roman Catholic Diocese of Passau
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