Iceland’s Catholic Population Doubles in Past 10 Years

Well, it may not seem like much, but 11,000 is 3.4% of the total population of this island, which is actually greener than Greenland. A thousand years ago, Iceland was Catholic. The Faith was established there by Irish monks who accompanied the Catholic convert Leif Erikson. Actually Irish and Scottish monks had built monasteries in Iceland at least two centuries before Erikson made a settlement there. If, indeed, as is probable, legends have to have had some original truth to build an exaggerated tale upon, then the Voyages of Saint Brendan the Navigator would have taken him and his band of monks to Iceland first and then to Greenland (Vinland) in the sixth century. At one time Greenland had to have been somewhat luxuriant in verdure, at least on the southern coast, or Erik the Red, the father of Leif, would not have named the world’s largest island such. Even though Erik was exiled there, from Iceland, on account of some crime, it does not hold muster that he would have totally lied about the place in order to attract settlers. Unless he had a death wish. Be that as it may here is a clip from Catholic Culture:

The number of Catholics in Iceland has doubled in the past decade and stands at 11,000, according to a report in L’Osservatore Romano.

The faithful are served by eight priests and 40 religious. More here.