More have started attending Greenlandic churches after threats from the US: *"People need to hear about hope."*

The Greenlanders are affected by the threats from the US, and it shows in the country’s churches.

Already last year, when the American president, Donald Trump, once again started talking about buying Greenland, concerns began. But since the start of this year, the worry has become very clear.

- *"We can clearly see that there is a need for support and to hear about hope and the gospel,"* says Greenland’s bishop, Paneeraq Siegstad Munk.

According to her, churches have experienced more visitors than usual over the past year.

Paneeraq Siegstad Munk was a guest on *Stjerner og striber* (Stars and Stripes) Wednesday evening on DR1, where she made these remarks among others.

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*"They are worried about whether we can continue to live peacefully."*

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Concerns escalated particularly after the US attack on Venezuela at the beginning of January. At the same time, Donald Trump’s threats to take over Greenland became more direct. A few weeks later, the capital Nuuk was hit by a power outage.

- *"When the power goes out, you physically feel how your body shakes. It’s uncomfortable to be alone, so people seek the churches to be with others,"* Paneeraq Siegstad Munk told *Stjerner og striber* (https://www.dr.dk/lyd/p1/stjerner-og-striber-2654211769000).

Especially in Nuuk, where journalists and politicians frequently visit, the sense of unease is everywhere, she explains.

- *"No matter where we go, we can feel it. The fear that others will come and take over our country—it’s just beneath the surface."*

The American president has repeatedly stated that the US needs Greenland for reasons of national security.

In addition to more people attending regular services, some churches have also introduced so-called quiet services across Greenland.

- *"Here, you can enter the church space and find peace when your mind is racing or when you’re stressed,"* the bishop explains.

Quiet services vary from church to church. In many places, they take place in the evening, when churchgoers can light candles in the darkness.

While not all churchgoers share why they come to church, some need to talk about the turbulent times Greenland has faced recently.

- *"People need to hear about hope. They are worried about whether we can continue to live peacefully because they love this country,"* says Paneeraq Siegstad Munk.

© Ritzau Scanpix

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The Church of Greenland

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- Between 90 and 95 percent of Greenland’s population is a member of the Church of Greenland.

- On June 21, 2009, the church was fully transferred to Greenland’s new self-government.

- The Church of Greenland became an independent diocese with its own bishop in 1993.

- There have been three bishops in total.

Facts: ilagiit.gl (http://ilagiit.gl) KNR and Kristeligt Dagblad

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Waiting for the King’s Visit

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Even though, according to the bishop, *"there is now a sense of calm,"* attention on Greenland has not faded. This week, King Frederik is visiting Greenland.

On Wednesday, he met with the prime minister of the Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, in Nuuk. Additionally, he will visit the Arctic Basic Education program.

King Frederik has already expressed his expectations for the trip before his arrival (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/kong-frederik-og-dronning-mary-taenker-meget-paa-groenland-vi-taler-ogsaa-med-vores-boern-om-det).

- *"Greenland’s well-being is very close to my heart, especially in these weeks. The morale of the Greenlanders must of course be maintained, and it is a joy for me to meet as many as possible face-to-face,"* he said when the visit was announced.

The last time the king visited Greenland was in April last year. And this royal visit has certainly not gone unnoticed this time.

- *"I think we’ve been considering when he would come, given the current geopolitical ‘snowstorm,’"* says Paneeraq Siegstad Munk.

- *"Perhaps it also means there will be more peace when he can come and show himself in Greenland."*

*Stjerner og striber* broadcast Wednesday evening from Nuuk, where Paneeraq Siegstad Munk appeared. You can now listen to it on DR Lyd. (https://www.dr.dk/lyd/p1/stjerner-og-striber-2654211769000)

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