A Catholic priest in Iceland is facing possible criminal charges after defending Catholic teaching that people engaged in same-sex relationships should not receive the Eucharist. Authorities have argued his remarks could violate the country’s 2023 law banning so-called “conversion therapy.”
According to Catholic World Report, critics of Father Jakob Rolland, chancellor of the Catholic Church in Iceland, claim the Catholic Church aims to “convert” people’s sexual orientations. They argue that its — moral teaching and its guidelines for receiving the Eucharist — could amount to “conversion therapy” under the law when applied to LGBT-identifying individuals.
Iceland’s 2025 annual review notes that the country’s parliament, the Althingi, passed legislation June 9, 2023 banning “conversion therapy.”
The bill read: “Whoever, by force, deception or threats, induces an individual to undergo treatment for the purpose of suppressing or changing his or her sexuality, gender identity or gender expression shall be liable to imprisonment for up to 3 years.”
The legislation further defines “conversion therapy” as “when people are subjected to treatment to suppress and change their sexuality, gender identity or gender expression.”
Critics argue that Fr. Rolland’s remarks during a March 2 interview were defiant and reflect what they claim is an effort by the Catholic Church to “convert” the sexual orientation of Icelanders, even without conventional therapy, according to the outlet.
RÚV also reported that police intend to review the remarks Fr. Rolland made in the interview with the outlet to determine whether a criminal investigation is warranted.
In the interview, Fr. Rolland framed the issue within the broader Christian understanding of conversion and moral transformation.
“Sexual orientation,” Fr. Rolland said, according to the outlet, “is only one factor among many that concern an individual’s tendencies towards some lifestyle that is not good for the individual and not good for society. And ‘conversion’—change of heart—this is a key word in the daily life of Catholic people. We are constantly in the position of turning away from what is evil towards what is good.”
Fr. Rolland also said that civil authority must ultimately yield to divine law when the two conflict.
“Yes, as long as the laws align with God’s laws, then it’s fine,” Fr. Rolland said. “It has been known in law from the very beginning that when the laws of the land and God’s laws conflict, God’s laws apply.”
Among those criticizing Fr. Rolland is Bjarndís Helga Tómasdóttir, chairwoman of Samtökin 78, an Icelandic LGBT advocacy organization. She said that Fr. Rolland’s comments warrant legal action.
“This is a crime and should be investigated as such,” Tómasdóttir said, the outlet reported.
Criticism has also come from Icelandic political leaders, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, a Catholic, who urged the Catholic Church not to oppose the law.
“I appeal to my Church,” Gunnarsdóttir said, according to Catholic World Report. “Don’t get involved in something like this, don’t go against the law, and don’t go against diversity.”
The controversy comes as Icelandic society has grown increasingly secular in recent decades, despite its historical ties to the Lutheran Church. Although the nation remains officially Lutheran, religious practice has declined significantly, and the Catholic Church has faced public hostility from LGBT advocacy leaders, political figures, and government authorities.
Fr. Rolland emphasized that the Church’s teaching is not directed at any single group but reflects the Christian belief that all people struggle with sin and seek God’s mercy.
“Everyone who comes to church has their problems and sins, struggling to some degree with bad tendencies towards something,” Fr. Rolland said, according to the outlet. “Everyone is kneeling, sometimes crying before God, before the statue of the Holy Virgin Mary, and asking for help. We are all really in the same position.”
Fr. Rolland also emphasized that he will uphold the Church’s teaching on marriage, regardless of potential repercussions.
“If two women came to us and wanted to marry,” Fr. Rolland said, “then I’d say, ‘Unfortunately, that won’t work for us.’ If they wanted to press charges, I’d say, ‘Do it.’ If I go to prison, then I go to prison, but it won’t change my position.”