FIPC President Jean Henric and First Vice President Matthias Balzer and their wives visited the correspondent member of FIPC, Denmark, from April 3rd to 6th to see, hear and experience how the conditions are in Denmark nowadays, and to have communication with Bishop Czeslaw Kozon and the leadership of Pueri Cantores Denmark (PCDK).
The Situation in Denmark
Denmark and its Catholic landscape
Denmark (DK) is a kingdom in three parts in the Northern Europe: The Southern DK, which is small, The Faroe Islands, which are even smaller and Greenland which is huge. Our nearest neighbours are Sweden, Norway, Germany, Poland and Canada. The population is around 6 million, and less than 1% are Catholics, around 55.000 persons distributed among 55 parishes. In DK there is one Catholic Bishop, Czeslaw Kozon, who is responsible for priests in all three parts of the kingdom. Most people in DK belong to the Evangelical-Lutheran state church or are secular.
Until 1849 there was no freedom of religion in DK. Since then, Catholics have immigrated and still do from several different countries. Also since 1849, some Danes have converted to the Catholic faith. For these reasons the Catholics in DK are a very small and diverse group.
Fora for children and young people in the Catholic landscape in DK
In DK we have many private schools, some of which are Catholic schools. They are supported by the state, and at the same time, they are relatively free. One can say: “The pupils in the Catholic schools are educated in a Catholic context.” The pupils as well as the teachers reflect the population composition in DK.
In DK we have an independent organisation called DUK, which means Denmark’s Young Catholics. It is the Catholic Danish diocese’s official organisation for children and youth.
In DK we now also have the independent movement, which soon will be an organisation, Pueri Cantores Denmark. It was launched by our Bishop and it is working for “Education of young people though Christian values and sacred music”, according to the FIPC statutes.
Pueri Cantores Denmark (PCDK)
PCDK has been a correspondent member of FIPC for some years. During these years we have, without success, tried to make an interest for singing, choir and music among children and youths in the Catholic landscape. (During the same period, DUK has, also without success, tried the same.) Obviously, the time was not right for that kind of theme.
Now, in 2025, things have changed and both singing, choirs, music and talking about faith has become modern in DK in general, also among children and youths.
Then again we will try to do the work: “Education of young people through Christian values and sacred music” in collaboration with DUK, the Catholic schools and all the congregations in the parishes. PCDK is now in a phase of reconstruction.
Structure and activities in PCDK
In PCDK we are four persons in the leadership team: Christa Stæger, chairman, Michael Stæger, secretary, Klaus Munk-Nielsen, member, and Kasper Stæger, member.
We have three choirs as members. They are school choirs from three different Catholic schools in the Copenhagen area. We have good contacts with a few parishes, but they are not yet members of PCDK. The cooperation with DUK is in a beginning phase.
In 2024 we had two choir festivals. Around 45 children from the three school choirs participated in each festival. In 2025 we will have one choir festival in September, where we expect more school choirs and participants from some congregations.
The visit from FIPC
We, PCDK, welcomed our guests Thursday, April the 3rd, and they were accommodated in the residence of Bishop Czeslaw Kozon as his personal guests.
Friday April the 4th, morning: A walk and a talk in the central Copenhagen. Looking at the memorial column of the Reformation next to the central cathedral of the Evangelical-Lutheran church. A visit in that church. Inside a famous marble statue of Jesus made by the famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844) who lived and worked in Rome for many years. This church still has a “cathedral boys choir”, and in many ways Catholic customs are maintained or restored. The old University lies just across the street – nowadays without students at that place; all faculties, including the faculty of Theology, have moved outside the central city. Then a general tour round the city and the area Northern Copenhagen.
Friday April the 4th, afternoon: Concert at a Catholic school with about 80 children from four Catholic schools in the area of Copenhagen. Three of the choirs are members of PCDK. The fourth is on its way to become a member.
Saturday April the 5th, morning: “Inspiration day” for all people in DK who work with or want to work with singing, choirs and music among children and youths in a Catholic context. Including a presentation of and conversation with the FIPC guests. Around 20 persons participated. The partners, with whom we work in PCDK, were represented. Members from a common congregation, members from a congregation of foreign-language, a catechist, youths from DUK and a choir leader from a Catholic school. There was singing, presentations, conversations and a very good mood. Finally a tour in the Catholic cathedral of Saint Ansgar just across the street.
Saturday April the 5th, evening: Meeting and dinner with the Bishop in his residence. The Bishop had invited for a meeting and a dinner with the guests from FIPC and the leading board of PCDK. The situation in DK with PCDK was discussed. Many challenges were presented, and a few good ideas were presented too. Anyway, we keep the optimism.
Sunday April the 6th: Mass in the Catholic cathedral of Saint Ansgar. A tour and a goodbye and see you later. In Paris ultimo August 2025.
Conclusion
Jean Henric and Matthias Balzer said: “Now we better understand your conditions in DK and we are seeing you on the way to be a member of FIPC, which we are looking forward to”. We in PCDK are very thankful that you visited us, and our Bishop and us are looking forward to continuing our work with singing, choirs and music among children and youths in a Catholic context.
We sing for the glory of God and blessing of people.
Kind regards
Christa Stæger
Chairman PCDK
