LETTER FROM MALMÖ
On January 22, 2023, Birgitta Ed started wearing the Roman collar. Nothing surprising, since after seven years of study and a master's degree in theology, this former communications consultant had just been ordained a priest by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden, during a celebration at Strängnäs Cathedral. Except that this fifty-year-old, mother of three daughters, is not just anyone: since 1991, Birgitta Ed has been married to Ulf Kristersson, the leader of the Swedish conservative party, who became prime minister in 2022.
In this context, the Swedish First Lady's obstinacy in constantly wearing a black shirt, closed at the neck with a Roman collar, does not leave one indifferent. Especially since the Swedes often present their country, not without a touch of pride, as one of the least religious in the world, even if 5.5 of its 10 million inhabitants continue to pay tax. clerical, making them official members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, separated from the State only since 1is January 2000.
But regardless of the controversies, Birgitta Ed continues to appear in her priest's outfit, whether she goes to a dinner given by King Carl XVI Gustaf in honor of a foreign head of state visiting Stockholm. or at the Nobel ceremony. Sometimes, she adorns her Roman collar shirt – which she wears under an evening dress, for special occasions – with a huge silver cross. In a tabloid interview The Expresson December 25, 2023, she assured that she only took off her clothes to sleep or go to the swimming pool.
Beer and pious image
Some applaud. Others denounce the mixing of genres. As in a photo posted on her husband's Instagram account in September: Roman collar under a black blouse with white patterns, Birgitta Ed smiles at the camera, a glass of beer in hand, in front of three bottles and two cans, a pious image slipped between them. In the caption, Ulf Kristersson announces that his government has decided to lower taxes on beer produced in Swedish microbreweries.
“Can someone explain to me why she wears her Roman collar when she advertises the private sale of alcohol? »reacted Anna Ardin, deacon, close to the Social Democratic Party, on her X account, sparking dozens of comments. “What poses a problem is the confusion of roles. Is she sitting there as a representative of the Church of Sweden or government policy? »asked theologian Joel Halldorf, in the newspaper The Express. Finally, Mme Ed, who assured that the photo had been posted without his knowledge, demanded that it be deleted.
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