Words by

Catharine Fulton

It’s confirmation season in Iceland, when 13-year-olds confirm their dedication to the church and get a big party and loads of presents in return. However, fewer children are being confirmed now than in previous years.
Agnes M. Sigurðardóttir is not concerned that 400 fewer children underwent confirmation last year in comparison to ten years ago, RÚV reports. Nor is she concerned that some clergies saw a 50% decrease in children seeking confirmation.
Priests say that the reason for the decline in confirmations is a general change in society and an increase in withdrawal from the national church. Agnes further reasoned that the increase in foreigners living in Iceland who practice other religions is a reason for the decrease.