Munk was elected bishop in 2020 but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was officially installed and started her ministry in 2021, exactly three hundred years after Norwegian missionary Pastor Hans Egede brought the Lutheran faith to Greenland. Ordained in 2004, she had previously served as a pastor in different locations around the vast Arctic territory and was well known for her preaching on various radio programs.
With over 90 percent of Greenlanders belonging to the Lutheran church, its leaders continue to exercise influence and share a sense of responsibility to support people at this time of crisis. The U.S. government threats “go directly to our hearts and after what happened in Venezuela, our people are worried about what will happen to them,” Munk said. “But our churches are open, our pastors are there, and we have seen more people coming to hear a message of hope,” she continued.
Prayers for peace and respect for human rights
The church leaders gave thanks for the strong political support that Denmark and other European countries have shown for Greenland’s sovereignty, as well as the countless messages of solidarity that they have received since the start of the crisis. In mid-January, LWF leaders issued a statement calling on the U.S. to exercise “restraint, respect and dialogue in all political engagements concerning the people of Greenland” and affirming “unwavering support for the church and people” in that country. “It means a lot to us to know that we are not alone,” Munk said.
Over the past month, evening services have been organized in many of the island’s 17 parishes so that people can come together to pray and share their concerns. Church leaders have written prayers and suggested suitable hymns, while also highlighting the need to preach a message of hope and unity. “We pray that politicians can talk to one another, that they will respect human rights, especially the rights of indigenous people,” Munk said, “And we do believe that lighter days will return to our country again.”
