Duty Priest Service turns 70
6.2.2026 13:47:46 CET | Svenska kyrkan | Press Release
The Duty Priest Service, one of Sweden’s oldest helplines, is marking 70 years of providing pastoral care and night-time support for people in crisis.
On 7 February 2026, the Duty Priest Service will mark 70 years as one of Sweden’s best-known helplines. The service was launched in 1956 when priest Erik Bernspång published a small advertisement in the Öresunds-Posten newspaper with the following exhortation: “Before you commit suicide, call ...”
What started as local initiatives around the country has grown into a nationwide, nationally organised operation involving all 13 dioceses of the Church of Sweden.
Today, the Duty Priest Service offers emergency counselling and crisis support 365 days a year. Every year, around 100,000 people seek support via phone, chat or email. The conversations take place at night from 9 pmto6 am via the 112 emergency number and are characterised by total confidentiality, anonymity and human presence.
The service is open to all, regardless of faith or church affiliation, and is well known throughout the country. According to surveys, eight out of ten Swedes are familiar with the Duty Priest Service.
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The Church of Sweden is a national church, open to everyone living in Sweden regardless of nationality. It is a place for church services, meetings and dialogue. The Church of Sweden is an Evangelical Lutheran church with 5,4 million members. There are 3400 churches in Sweden, and 13 dioceses.
THE INTERNATIONAL WORK Collaborating and cooperating with other churches and organisations is at the core of the Church of Sweden´s international mission. As a church, we are part of the worldwide community of churches.
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