The Swedish Church is grappling with a priest shortage in several parts of the country, including the newly formed Noraskogs pastorat in northern Örebro county. According to a report from SVT Örebro, no one applied for the two priest positions advertised when the new parish was established at the turn of the year.
Priest Carl Sjösvärd Birger from Olaus Petri congregation in Örebro explained that the shortage is not universal but occurs primarily in areas outside cities where recruitment is generally difficult for all professions. "It's not a priest shortage everywhere, but in places where it's generally hard to recruit for all kinds of professions," said Sjösvärd Birger.
It's not a priest shortage everywhere, but in places where it's generally hard to recruit for all kinds of professions
A contributing factor to the shortage is the retirement of priests from the 1940s generation. "The 1940s generation leaves a big gap behind them. It's hard to fill the positions after that," he noted.
The Swedish Church is reportedly working to make priest training more attractive. The education consists of a four-year university program, with students also needing to be accepted as priest candidates by a diocese, making the total training approximately five and a half years.
The 1940s generation leaves a big gap behind them. It's hard to fill the positions after that
Sjösvärd Birger emphasized the importance of mutual calling in the profession, stating that during the candidate period, there are conversations and internships with the diocese to test one's calling as a priest and to see if there is mutual interest.