“To build bridges and break the walls”

Abstract

Abstract This article provides a picture of the role the Church of Sweden plays in relation to the present refugee situation. As the largest civil society organization in Sweden, Church of Sweden plays an important role at the local and the national level when it comes to various integration projects in relation to the newly arrived. The article raises one such local example that shows how Church of Sweden is cooperating with other local actors in order to manage the large number of refugees arriving. At the same time the local parish is challenged by some of the Christian refugees that come to Church of Sweden and want to practice their faith. At the national level Church of Sweden is in various ways working so as to support the local parishes in their work with refugees. The Church of Sweden is also involved with affecting the general opinion, emphasizing the responsibility of Sweden as a rich nation to welcome the refugees that are arriving. With the practical examples as a starting point, the article ...