Increase in Priests Approved for Westfjords as Demand Grows
In a significant move, the Kirkjuþing (Church Assembly) has approved an increase in the number of priests serving the Westfjords, adding one more to the current roster. This region, which boasted fourteen priests at the turn of the century, has seen its clergy dwindle to just five, a reduction that has left many feeling underserved.
Dean Magnús Erlingsson expressed his concerns, stating, “The decrease of nine priests has been far too much, as we are struggling to meet the spiritual needs of the entire region.” It’s a sentiment echoed by community members who rely on the church for guidance and support.
Looking ahead, a position for a new priest will be advertised next summer. However, Magnús believes even more roles should be offered to adequately meet the needs identified in a 2022 assessment of service requirements in the area, which recommended adding two priests and one deacon. Currently, the Westfjords is without a deacon, a role Magnús advocates for, citing its importance.
“We have been working to broaden the church’s services by incorporating both priests and deacons,” he explained. “Deacons traditionally focus on institutional and charitable endeavors, as well as various care services, which are vital in our communities.”
Magnús highlighted the disparities between urban and rural ministry. He pointed out the challenges facing clergy in the Westfjords, emphasizing that it seems peculiar for their salaries to be based solely on population. “If you’re working full-time, you should receive full compensation, regardless of your location,” he remarked.
To illustrate his point, he compared the situation in Reykjavík, where five priests serve a population of just under nine thousand people near Laugardalur. In contrast, the Westfjords, despite having half as many residents, distribute its priests across a larger geographic area, with many serving parishes that are spread thin.
The region hosts over thirty parishes; twelve are concentrated in urban centers like Ísafjörður and Bolungarvík, while the remaining majority are dispersed throughout the vast rural landscape. “With only five of us to cover all these parishes, it’s simply a lot to manage,” he noted, highlighting the logistical difficulties faced by priests in rural ministry.
Travel times in the Westfjords can be substantial, often forcing clergy to spend an entire day attending to a single christening. In some cases, priests must don their cassocks and hike to remote churches along less-traveled roads. “I can still reach one of my churches faster by boat than by car,” Magnús observed, underscoring the unique challenges of serving in a rural context.
As the church adapts to the needs of its congregation, the hope is that the upcoming recruitment of a new priest will bring some much-needed relief to both clergy and community members alike.
