Father Tomaz Majcen, a Slovenian-born Conventual Franciscan, is currently the only Catholic priest serving in Greenland. He ministers at Christ the King Church in Nuuk, the capital, and shares his mission with two other Franciscan brothers.
A Mission at the Heart of Isolation
Despite the harsh climate and isolation, Father Majcen describes Greenland as a land marked by grace and peace. His ministry, though difficult, is for him a true vocation, a daily commitment to serving a small but fervent Catholic community.
The island's Catholic population is estimated at between 300 and 500 faithful, the majority of whom come from the Philippines, Europe, and Latin America. A few Danes are also present, along with a very small number of Inuit converts to Catholicism. Far from the large parishes of the West, Christian life there recalls the early apostolic communities, where each believer plays an essential role in the spiritual vitality of the local Church.
Concern for the Future
When asked about the implications of a potential transfer of Greenland to American jurisdiction—a project once discussed by the United States administration—Father Majcen shares his concern. Such a change could alter the island's pastoral organization and call his current role into question. However, he remains confident in Providence:
“I let God be the center of everything. We pray our best for peace on earth and trust Him for the rest.”
For him, the essential thing is to accompany the souls entrusted to his ministry, regardless of the political or administrative upheavals that may arise. He therefore continues his mission with faith and perseverance, considering this service to an isolated Church as a true grace.