A former leader of a Pentecostal teacher training school in Northern Finland has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison. The court ruled that the individual, referred to as Seija, committed spiritual abuse against students, including 17-year-old Anniina Rousu. The school operated between 2004 and 2008. Rousu, now the chair of the Association for Victims of Religions, describes the environment as manipulative and isolating. Her experiences are detailed in her new book, which highlights the long-term psychological impact of leaving such groups. The case underscores ongoing concerns regarding spiritual violence within religious communities in Finland.
At the XV Finno-Ugric Clergy Conference in Kőszeg, Hungary, Finnish pastor Juha Saari addressed attendees from Finland, Estonia, Romania, and Hungary. He posed rhetorical questions about how churches should lead if open persecution begins in the future. Saari discussed the history of the Inkeri Church, now the Russian Lutheran Church, noting its resilience against Soviet terror. He highlighted current challenges, including tightened religious laws and reduced foreign aid, while emphasizing the church's commitment to biblical teaching and mission despite these constraints.
The Church of Finland's full assembly has removed Kansanlähetys and the Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Sley) from the list of organizations eligible for official church collections in 2027. The decision cites the groups' unchanged opposition to women's ordination and LGBTQ+ rights. Four members, including Bishop Jari Jolkkonen of Kuopio, dissented, arguing the move contradicts mission agreements and improperly assumes a punitive role. The assembly stated that while no formal review processes are currently underway, the theological stances remain a barrier. This change affects how these organizations receive financial support from the national church. The news outlet Kotimaa notes that readers are being asked to vote on the matter.
Translated from Suomi
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Atte Grönlund on UnsplashPersecuted church
A protected barn partially burned down last night in Vivamo, Lohja, Finland. Police are investigating the incident, which is suspected to be arson. No injuries were reported. Matias Nyman, director of Teatteri Raamattykylä, stated that flames reached the roof, causing significant damage to the facade. The building was used for storage and as a set for Christmas plays. According to a social media update from Vivamo, rescue authorities noted several similar arson attempts in the Lohja area over the past two weeks. This marks the second suspected intentional fire at the center, following the destruction of the Ilmestysvajaki building in July 2024.
Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen learned her UK travel ban was lifted just 45 minutes before she was scheduled to speak at an event in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Assembly had invited her to address a conference titled “Faith, Freedom and the Future” on August 17. British officials granted her entry permit on August 21, but the delay prevented her physical attendance. Räsänen, who is appealing a Finnish conviction regarding her views on marriage, addressed the audience via video link from Finland. She stated she welcomed the approval and can now travel to the UK, though the original restriction remained unexplained by authorities.
The city of Espoo in Finland has appealed two decisions by the Equality Board to the Helsinki Administrative Court. The board previously ruled that the city discriminated against a student and a parent by not warning them in advance that the Suvi Hymn would be sung at a school event. The city argues that singing a traditional hymn does not constitute a religious service or discrimination. Consequently, Espoo refuses to pay the recommended compensation and is challenging the rulings in court. This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions regarding religious symbols and traditions in Finnish public schools.
Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a former Finnish minister, is appealing her conviction for hate speech to the European Court of Human Rights after losing a seven-year legal battle in Finland’s Supreme Court. The case centers on a 2004 pamphlet she published, which led to a guilty verdict under Finnish criminal code. Räsänen argues that the conviction threatens religious freedom and free speech across Europe. Additionally, her UK travel authorization was recently cancelled due to the conviction, preventing her from speaking at a Belfast conference. The Alliance Defending Freedom notes the law was applied retroactively, despite the court admitting the text did not incite violence. Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola was also convicted for publishing the booklet.
Read more →
Good news
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Arvid Høidahl on UnsplashGood news
The Catholic Church in Norway is experiencing significant growth, driven largely by Polish immigrants and notable conversions from Lutheranism. Ragnhild Aadland Høen, spokesperson for the Norwegian Bishops' Conference, told OSV News that young people are actively engaging with parishes across the country. In October, Oslo Bishop Fredrik Hansen announced plans for a historic diocesan synod focused on evangelization. Data from 2025 indicates that Catholics make up about 2.9 percent of the Nordic population. This growth occurs despite historical repression, though recent legal changes grant the Church state funding. High-profile conversions, including that of Nobel laureate Jon Fosse, highlight the trend.
Translated from Polski
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Martti Salmi on UnsplashGood news
A professor from California Baptist University is scheduled to serve as a visiting instructor at Agricola Theological Seminary in Finland from August 18 to 24. The institution, located in the Greater Helsinki area, trains pastors, church planters, and ministry workers from Finland and Estonia. The International Mission Board announced the visit, noting the seminary's role in preparing active ministry personnel for the region. The event aims to support theological education in the Nordic countries.
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Martti Salmi on UnsplashGood news
Team Finland reports that a teaching fellow from Agricola Theological Seminary (ATS) in Finland will visit the country from October 17 to 25. The visitor, who serves as the senior pastor of a church in California, will lead a seminar focused on preaching. According to the group, this individual is among a small number of U.S. pastors collaborating to provide students with solid biblical instruction. The initiative aims to help develop future healthy churches within the Finnish context. The seminary's website is listed as a resource for further information.
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by John Ellard on UnsplashGood news
From October 4 to 6, men from Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, and Denmark will attend a missions conference organized by the International Mission Board. The event aims to encourage attendees through fellowship and biblical teaching. The organization states that the gathering seeks to inspire participants to spread the gospel in a region marked by secularism and unbelief. The conference focuses on strengthening faith and motivating believers to engage in missionary work across the Nordic countries.
A qualitative study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion explores why young Finnish men are turning to Christianity. Based on 30 interviews, researchers found that 80 percent cited a search for meaning amid personal crises as their primary motivation. Participants valued the church community for belonging and stability, with 73 percent highlighting friendship and acceptance. Additionally, 70 percent appreciated the tradition's permanence, while 37 percent sought a model of masculinity combining responsibility and compassion. The research, conducted in Finland, suggests these men view faith as a coherent moral framework against secular individualism, though the small sample size limits broader generalizations.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Four new discipleship groups have been established for the first time at a Baptist church plant in East Helsinki, Finland. The initiative is led by the local pastor, his wife, and a couple from Team Finland. Each group consists of two men and two women. The International Mission Board reports that the aim is to foster authentic relationships, encourage growth in biblical study, and promote intentional lifestyle evangelism among the participants. This marks a significant step in the development of the local congregation.
Markus Snellman, a 35-year-old pastor from Pietarsaari, was ordained as bishop for the small conservative Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland (LKNI) in Oslo on Saturday. The congregation has approximately 200 members and belongs to the International Lutheran Council. The ceremony featured numerous international bishops, including Matthew C. Harrison from the US Missouri Synod. Snellman stated that his church aims to provide a classical Lutheran alternative in Norway and explicitly declined to intervene in the ongoing theological tensions within the Church of Finland. He emphasized that LKNI focuses solely on its historical territory in Northern Europe.
A nationwide survey of Finnish confirmation students reveals that four out of five participants learned new things about Christianity. The study, conducted by the Church of Finland, shows high satisfaction with safety and community. Notably, transgender youth reported increased religious belief, sometimes exceeding peers. Experts attribute this to inclusive environments. Most students also reported improved mental well-being and optimism about their future, contrasting with broader national trends. The survey highlights the positive impact of confirmation camps on young people's spiritual and social development.
The International Lutheran Council and the Catholic Church have established a joint working group focused on the Augsburg Confession ahead of its 500th anniversary in 2030. Led by Bishop Juhana Pohjola and Auxiliary Bishop Peter Birkhofer, the team met in Freiburg, Germany, in October. According to Pohjola, the group aims to analyze specific articles regarding ministry and episcopacy rather than produce an official dialogue document. This initiative allows conservative Lutheran churches to engage in theological discussion with the Vatican while maintaining their distinct positions on issues such as women's ordination.
According to OSV News, the Catholic Church in Northern Europe is experiencing a surge in conversions, presenting both opportunities and pastoral challenges. In Norway, Ragnhild Aadland Høen notes reduced anti-Catholic bias and increased participation in adult initiation courses. In Denmark, Nik Bredholt observes that many discover the faith online but require guidance to understand Church teachings. Data from 2025 indicates 406,000 Catholics across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, representing 2.9% of the regional population. Growth is driven by immigration and high-profile conversions, such as Nobel laureate Jon Fosse. Church leaders emphasize the need to nurture new believers and address social issues like poverty and populism.
One hundred years after the death of missionary Martti Rautanen, the Russian Lutheran Church has purchased his former home in Tikunpesä, near the Estonian border in Finland. Bishop Ivan Laptev announced plans to renovate the building and establish a mission museum there. The church views Rautanen, who served in Namibia for fifty years, as a global example of effective missionary work. Laptev recently visited Namibia to study Rautanen's legacy and intends to display artifacts and documents from the region. The project aims to inspire young Christians and highlight the historical ties between Finnish and Russian Lutheran communities.
On World Mission Day, Italian Catholic missions across Europe emphasize building bridges of faith and fraternity rather than preserving national identity. In Finland, Don Marco Pasinato highlights the role of the Helsinki mission as a place for prayer and community building. In the UK, Don Antonio Serra notes the need for shared pastoral care within the local Church. In Romania, Father Marius Beresoaie stresses proximity to families and the vulnerable. In Greece, Fra Romano Cerantola points to parish vitality, while in Russia, Don Giampiero Caruso advocates for a discreet presence promoting peace. In Sweden, Mons. Furio Cesare calls for integrating international communities into local societies. These efforts aim to announce the Gospel and foster dialogue across the continent.
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
