Swedish 'megachurch' leader explains conversion to Catholicism

April 24, 2014

The Swedish “megachurch” pastor who shocked his congregation in March by announcing his conversion to Catholicism has discussed his spiritual journey in an interview with England’s Catholic Herald.

Pastor Ulf Ekman, who has built the Word of Life community into a powerful force in Swedish society, acknowledged that his animus against the Catholic Church was once strong enough so that in 1989, he led prayers in opposition to the visit to Sweden by Pope John Paul II. But over time his studies, and then his desire for the sacramental life, led him to Catholicism. He and his wife will soon be received into the Church by Bishop Anders Arborelius of Stockholm.

 

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Further information:

• Megachurch pastor Ulf Ekman: ‘We need what the Lord has given to the Catholic Church to live fully as Christians’ (Catholic Herald)
• Swedish 'megachurch' leader converts to Catholicism (CWN 3/11)