29 complaints have been submitted to the Diocese of Strängnäs against Pastor Birgitta Ed, wife of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Moderate Party). The complaints primarily concern her involvement in the Fållökna Foundation and the question of how her different roles as pastor, board member, and the Prime Minister’s wife relate to her ecclesiastical duties.

On Thursday, the Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese of Strängnäs addressed the complaints. No decision has yet been made public. According to the diocese, the chapter can either dismiss the case with no action or decide to proceed with further investigation. The decision will become public only after the minutes have been approved.

Since Birgitta Ed serves in the Strängnäs Cathedral Parish, it is the chapter in Strängnäs that is responsible for oversight. When a pastor or deacon is reported, it is assessed, among other things, whether the person has violated their ordination vows.

The Church of Sweden simultaneously emphasizes that complaints against pastors and deacons are not uncommon, and that those reported must be given the opportunity to respond before any case is decided.

The large number of complaints came following Aftonbladet’s investigation of the Fållökna Foundation, where Ed sits on the board. The investigation raised questions about the operation, including information that volunteers may have been offered opportunities to network with influential individuals. Critics have also highlighted possible conflicts of interest regarding Ed’s religious and private engagements.

Several complaints address the suitability of a pastor holding a side activity of this kind. Complainants have, among other things, questioned whether Ed’s position and proximity to the Prime Minister could mean her status is being exploited.

Sagerska Palace

Remuneration from the foundation outside of her pastoral position is also mentioned in certain complaints. The fact that several complaints contain similar wording may indicate there was some form of coordination or encouragement to file reports.

Meetings held at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Sagerska Palace, are also referenced in the complaints. In addition, Ed’s dual roles in the development of Domkyrkoberget in Strängnäs are questioned. She works on the project within the Church of Sweden, while also sitting on the board of Europaskolan, one of the organizations in the area.

Another recurring issue is that Ed has at several public events worn clerical clothing while attending as the Prime Minister’s wife. Questions raised by complainants also include costs for a chicken coop at Harpsund she wanted to establish, as well as expenses related to interior furnishings at Sagerska Palace.

The case has also involved several conflict of interest issues. Dean Christofer Lundgren has declared a conflict since he is Ed’s employer. Judge Robert Schött has also declared a conflict due to assignments for the government.

Bishop Johan Dalman, who was part of the decision to open the oversight case, later chose not to participate in further proceedings after questions were raised about his connections to the Fållökna Foundation.

PR and Communications

The controversy surrounding Ed follows a career far removed from the clergy. She has worked as a policy advisor in the Government Offices and later built a career in PR and communications. She co-founded the PR agency Sagt:Gjort, which later became Springtime after a merger.

In 2003, she served as campaign director for the pro-Euro side in the referendum and had previously worked with the Yes campaign before the EU referendum in 1994.

Ed has also had assignments related to the Swedish World Expo in Shanghai 2009–2010. During the 2000s, she was a well-known profile in the communications and PR industry before making a career change.

After nearly seven years of theological studies, Birgitta Ed was ordained at Strängnäs Cathedral in January 2023. She has described the clergy as a career change that evolved after many years in the communications industry.

The same year, she received an 80 percent pastoral position in the Strängnäs Cathedral Parish. The position was not openly advertised, and Ed was the only applicant. Dean Christofer Lundgren has defended the decision by stating that Ed was already known as being interested and was seen as a good fit for the profile sought by the parish.

There is no formal requirement that positions for pastors within the Church of Sweden must be advertised, although open advertisement is usually recommended.

Cancelled by Municipality

During the summer, her engagement has also led to other public controversies. She was, for example, invited as a VIP guest to a lunch at the Karlshamn Boat Show, but the municipality canceled her appearance after the attention surrounding the Fållökna Foundation.

The question now remains whether the chapter finds that anything raised in the 29 complaints is incompatible with her clerical vows. As of the conclusion of Thursday’s meeting, no such statement has yet been made public.

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