Caroline Krook, a trailblazing figure in the Church of Sweden and the country's first female dean, has died at 80. Known for her courage and openness, she was a prominent voice in the church and an advocate for LGBTQ rights. Her legacy includes significant contributions to the church's inclusivity and social justice efforts.
Pioneering Bishop Caroline Krook Passes Away at 80
Pioneering Bishop Caroline Krook Passes Away at 80
Former bishop Caroline Krook has passed away.
“Caroline Krook was a strong and courageous voice in the Church of Sweden, deeply rooted in our tradition and open to the world,” writes Archbishop Martin Modéus in a Facebook post. She was 80 years old.
Caroline Krook was a priest and bishop emerita in the Church of Sweden, serving as the bishop of the Stockholm diocese from 1998 to 2009.
Earlier this year, she revealed to Kyrkans tidning that she had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
Sweden's First Female Dean
In 1969, she was among the first women ordained in the Church of Sweden, at the Lund diocese. In 1990, she was appointed dean of Storkyrkan in Stockholm, becoming Sweden's first female dean.
She was also the country's first female prison chaplain.
Archbishop Martin Modéus writes in a Facebook post that the memories of Caroline Krook are many and warm.
“She was a pioneer in many respects and carried her office with integrity and warmth,” he continues.
Caroline Krook became a familiar face during contemporary disasters. She held services after the sinking of the Estonia and the 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA.
She was involved in LGBTQ issues and was the keynote speaker when Stockholm Pride was inaugurated in 2004.
“Her work for Christian faith in our time and society, for the church's openness, and for justice and equality has been invaluable. Bishop Caroline made important, good, and lasting impressions on the Church of Sweden and our country. May her memory live on as an inspiration for many,” writes Archbishop Martin Modéus.
The current bishop of the Stockholm diocese, Andreas Holmberg, remembers Krook:
“Bishop Caroline was a valued and respected leader and person who meant a lot to the Stockholm diocese and the Church of Sweden,” writes Andreas Holmberg, bishop of the Stockholm diocese, in a Facebook post.
“I warmly remember our last conversation over a private lunch earlier this year. Thank you, Caroline! May God's eternal light shine for you,” he writes.