How busy are the temples in countries like Europe where the church is struggling? I would think that it would be abysmal. I can't imagine what it would be like 30 years from now.
Seriously, somebody has to know and I'm interested. I served a mission in Spain and lived for a summer in England. With this new, very necessary temple going up in Rome, I'd love to know how really unnecessary it is.
I've heard somewhere that different countries have their special weeks assigned (not sure how many times in a year) and often they charter buses for members to go there during these designated times.
This is true. I grew up in Finland, which has only had a temple for a couple of years. In the 70's when my parents joined, they had to travel to Switzerland for their sealing.
When the temple in Stockholm, Sweden was built, all Finnish teenagers got the chance to go there once a year during a designated week. Although I never went, it was very exciting for all the kids since they had to take a 12-hour "cruise" across the Baltic Sea and those boats are very well known for wild parties...
I'm not sure how often the adults went, though, mainly because I was quite young and didn't pay attention to that sort of things!
Also, I hope Ex-CultMember knows Europe isn't a country...
just like wards, temples have 'districts'; you 'get more credit' (HAHA) if u attend 'the one you're (we're) assigned to', even if another one is Closer!
I lived in Toledo, OH for a while, Mos 'supposed' to attend in Columbus, but one in Detroit (?) was MUCH CLOSER!