Sweden ends up being the first country with more priestesses than priests

Archbishop Antje Jackelén and Pope Francis. Photo: Telegrafi
The Church of Sweden has become the first in the world where the number of female priests exceeds that of male priests, reports Telegrafi. Among the 3,060 ordained priests in the Church of Sweden, 1,533, or 50.1%, are women.
At the Swedish Synod in 1958, the priesthood was officially opened to women as well, but there was also a so-called "conscience clause", meaning that bishops who were theologically opposed to women's ordination did not have to do so. As a result, the first ordinations of women took place only in 1975.
The publication notes that since then, the feminization of the clergy progressed much faster than the Church of Sweden had predicted. A 1990 report suggested it would take about a century for women to make up half of the clergy. However, this threshold was reached just 30 years later, according to Telegrafi.
The process of liberalization in the Church of Sweden continued. In 2009, Eva Brunne became the world’s first openly lesbian bishop.
The Church of Sweden, the largest Lutheran community in Europe, was the state church until 2000. According to a Gallup International poll, Swedes are among the least religious nations in the world. Only one fifth of the population declares that they are believers and only two percent of the members of the Swedish church regularly participate in Sunday mass, Telegrafi reports.
Earlier, it was reported that Sweden is among the top five most intolerant countries towards Christians.
Read also

German Catholic Bishops Push for "Full Normalization" of LGBT Identity in Schools
The German bishops will push for the "full normalization of homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgenderism," according to local news sources.

Archbishop Irenée Visits the Imprisoned
The Archbishop of Ottowa concluded with an open discussion, where the archbishop addressed theological topics, like the inspiration drawn from saints’ lives, and practical challenges such as reintegrating into parish life post-release.
New Lecture Offers Insight on St. Tikhon's Time in America
Matthew Namee of the Orthodox Studies Institute teams up with the Russian History Museum in talk on St. Tikhon as Orthodox faithful mark 100 years since his repose.
Met. Jonah Performs Several Ordinations at ROCOR's Southern Missionary Hub
With baptisms, tonsures, and multiple ordinations, ROCOR’s Southeast hub in Atlanta continues to lead a growing missionary revival—fueled by English-language liturgies, lay zeal, and the steady hand of seasoned clergy.
Antiochian Orthodox Faithful Unite in Chicago for Historic 57th Archdiocese Convention
Weeklong gathering blends worship, fellowship, and vision for the future under Metropolitan Saba’s leadership.
Met. Longin Marks 100 Years of St. Sava Monastery with Call to Faith, Renewal, and Unity
Renovation of St. Mardarije Center launched as diocese holds historic celebration.