Catholicism was introduced in Iceland in the 10th century, but a regular hierarchy
was only established in the following century.
In 1541 Protestantism was imposed by the Danish kings, and after the execution of
its last bishop in 1550, the Catholic community disappeared.
In 1859 the first missionaries came to Iceland, only to leave in 1875 without having
obtained much results. A second attempt in 1895 met with more success and in 1923
the country became a separate Apostolic Prefecture, which was elevated to the rank
of an Apostolic Vicariate in 1929. (1)
(1) Untill 1923 Iceland had been subject to the hierarchies in Norway (till
1869) and in Denmark (since 1869).
Prefect Apostolic
1923 - 1929 Martin Meulenberg 1872 - 1941
Vicars Apostolic
1929 - 1941 Martin Meulenberg, Titular Bishop of Holar s.a.
1942 - 1966 Jóhannes Gunnarsson, Titular Bishop of Holar 1897 - 19..
Back to ROMAN CATHOLIC REGIONAL HIERARCHY
