This week in Christian history: Papal election secret ballot instituted, Ulf Ekman converts to Catholicism, Balthasar Hubmaier martyred

Ulf Ekman converts to Catholicism – March 9, 2014

This week marks the anniversary of Swedish Protestant megachurch leader Ulf Ekman and his wife, Birgitta, announcing at a church service that they had converted to Roman Catholicism.

Before his conversion, Ekman had founded the 3,000-member Word of Life Church of Uppsala, as well as a prominent Bible school, and had written several books and launched a broadcast ministry.

In a statement released at the time, Ekman explained, “this has been a slow process where we have gone from discovering new things, to appreciating what we have discovered, to approach and even learn from our fellow Christians.”

“We have seen a great love for Jesus and a sound theology, founded on the Bible and classic dogma. We have experienced the richness of sacramental life. We have seen the logic in having a solid structure for priesthood, that keeps the faith of the church and passes it on from one generation to the next,” he continued.

“We have met an ethical and moral strength and consistency that dare to face up to the general opinion, and a kindness towards the poor and the weak. And, last but not least, we have come in contact with representatives for millions of charismatic Catholics and we have seen their living faith.”