- We are waiting for a response from the parishes, but my assessment is that between 150 and 250 of our total of 540 churches may be suspended, says diocese engineer Andreas Månsson to SVT Nyheter.
According to him, the expected price increases this winter could lead to electricity bills - in the worst case - over SEK 200,000 for a "normal-sized" church.
The congregations decide themselves
Against this background, the parishes around Skåne and Blekinge are asked to cool down, that is, to close down churches without heating, to instead use parish halls and other more energy-efficient buildings for church services, baptisms and ceremonies.
- But the parishes and the pastorate decide for themselves.
Many of them seem ready to open up temporarily if necessary, for example if someone would very much like to have a funeral in their home church, says Andreas Månsson.
See more in the video about the church's fight against skyrocketing electricity bills.