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Faroese (Faroe Islands)
Scottish bishops articulate ethical challenges that are also relevant to the Faroe Islands. They remind us of our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable and to build a just society. Many of the issues they raise are recognisable in Faroese society – but are we ready to take that responsibility, and is it reflected in our election campaign?
In the midst of the current election period, I came across, almost by chance, a pastoral letter issued by the Catholic bishops of Scotland in connection with the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May this year. In it, the bishops remind us of our responsibility as citizens and as Christians. They acknowledge that the Church and the political community have distinct roles, yet both serve the good of each individual person.
The bishops point out that many groups in Scotland are particularly vulnerable: unborn children; the elderly; people living in poverty; those with disabilities or mental health challenges; people struggling with addiction; victims of modern slavery; migrants; those at risk of suicide; and victims of crime.
They urge people to reflect on the key principles of Catholic social teaching – human dignity, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity – which illuminate the major ethical issues of our time:
- the protection of life from conception to natural death
- the strengthening of marriage and family life
- care for the poor and vulnerable
- fair and sustainable economic conditions
- accessible healthcare
- the elimination of modern slavery
- the promotion of peace and support for poorer nations
- care for creation
- the defence of religious freedom and freedom of conscience
Many of these same challenges are present in the Faroe Islands. It is well known that the Catholic Church opposes abortion, but in Scotland the debate is particularly focused on late-term abortions, and there is also growing concern about developments related to assisted dying – issues that have not yet reached the same level of debate in the Faroes. The Catholic Church also places strong emphasis on marriage and family life.
There are indications in the Faroe Islands that the gap between rich and poor is widening, and many of us would likely agree that our economic conditions are neither fair nor sustainable. People struggle to find housing, both because of shortages and because prices have risen to levels that young people and families cannot afford – even when they manage to secure a home. The situation in healthcare is also concerning. We recently heard from the chair of the general practitioners’ association that research shows people with a regular GP live on average five years longer than those without. In the Faroes, many people are unable to register with a GP because all practices are fully booked.
Slavery is something I once thought had been abolished over a hundred years ago, but unfortunately it has merely changed form. Refugees are often exploited by criminal networks, including in prostitution and drug-related activities. But we might also ask whether binding people through debt can, in some cases, resemble a form of modern slavery.
And why do we have refugees? Often because of war, conflict, or famine. We sometimes hear political arguments that we should help people “where they are”, yet such assistance seems limited in practice. The Faroe Islands spend significantly less than the other Nordic countries on humanitarian aid and support for poorer nations.
Care for creation – or environmental protection – also appears to be a relatively low priority. This includes not only avoiding overexploitation, but also safeguarding ecosystems both at sea and on land. In 2015, Pope Francis published Laudato Si’, emphasising that caring for creation is a Christian responsibility.
Finally, we come to the last point highlighted by the bishops: religious freedom. In the Faroe Islands, this is currently a topic of active debate, and there are voices suggesting that Islam should not be allowed to take root here. At the same time, we have accepted a variety of religious communities with relatively little resistance, including Catholics, Adventists, Jews, and to some extent Jehovah’s Witnesses and Baháʼís. Formally, the national church would also be expected to uphold religious freedom, as does the Catholic Church, which regards it as a fundamental human right – including the right of Muslims and others to practise their faith.
The Faroese election campaign of 2026 has partly addressed ethical issues, but has focused mainly on economic sustainability – or rather the lack of it. Refugees and migrants have been mentioned, but primarily in terms of how to limit immigration to those considered necessary for the labour market. Environmental issues were discussed at a meeting organised by FNU, yet most political parties showed limited interest in environmental protection. And then there is the question of Muslims – who, it seems, should preferably not be allowed into the country – with calls for both parliamentary and national political representation to secure this aim.
The pastoral letter from the Scottish bishops can be read here.