Yesterday, the church bells across Malmö, Sweden's third-largest city, rang in support for Greta Thunberg and her global climate strike.
This was done as a token of support for the 'Fridays for the Future' climate movement, where thousands of children, inspired by Greta Thunberg's example, walk away from school to demand immediate climate action from the powers that be.
“We pray because we know that climate change affects the most vulnerable – the poor, children and women. We pray because we believe in man's ability to change,” the Church of Sweden Malmö explained on its website.
Sofia Tunebro, a priest at St. Paul's Church, described the perceived climate change as an “existential crisis” where everyone must be involved and contribute.
In 2018, the Church of Sweden sparked controversy by proclaiming Greta Thunberg, already a national celebrity and media darling, “Jesus' Successor”:
“Announcement! Jesus of Nazareth has now appointed one of his successors, Greta Thunberg”, the Church of Limhamn tweeted.