Approximately 5,000 participants from around the world are attending the Pentecostal World Fellowship conference in Helsinki this week. The event, held at the Helsinki Ice Hall, marks the first time the gathering has been hosted in Finland since 1964. Esko Matikainen, the executive director of the Finnish Pentecostal Mission, stated that the conference was requested by the community nearly a decade ago. The program features international speakers and focuses on the theme 'Go & Make.' Notable attendees include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege. The conference aims to showcase contemporary spirituality and music to the public.
More than twenty-five religious summer events are scheduled across Finland this year, with visitor numbers expected to exceed 100,000. Major gatherings include the Old Lutheran Suviseurat in Loppi, anticipated to draw over 80,000 attendees, and the Pentecostal Midsummer Conference in Keuruu, expecting 20,000 participants. Other notable events take place in Sastamala, Helsinki, and Tampere. The season began in May with missions festivals in Loimaa and Seinäjoki. The summer program concludes in October with the Missions Festivals in Joensuu and the Spirit event in Seinäjoki. Many events are also broadcast online via radio and television platforms.
Church leaders in Finland have issued a joint appeal regarding the difficult situation of international students from outside the EU and EEA. They state that many students face severe hardship because they lack access to social benefits and struggle with debt. The leaders argue that students were given unrealistic information about employment opportunities and living costs. Reports indicate that a significant portion of food bank users are now international students. The group calls for cooperation between authorities and educational institutions to provide immediate aid and ensure future applicants receive accurate information about life in Finland.
A bishop in a northern Pakistani province has an armed guard due to severe security threats. The region has experienced hundreds of terror attacks, including deadly strikes on churches and police. This leader, who guides a Lutheran diocese established with Finnish mission support, emphasizes strengthening church institutions and interfaith dialogue. He collaborates with Muslim leaders to combat blasphemy accusations and protect minorities. Despite social discrimination, the local Christian community remains resilient. Recent regional tensions have caused fear, but worship continues. The bishop notes that while individual aid is common, structural support for struggling congregations is equally vital for long-term survival in a hostile environment.
Former Oslo Bishop Kari Veiteberg will be the main speaker at the shared meals church days in Turku, Finland, from May 9 to 11. According to the outlet, Veiteberg argues that regular worship services provide stability like a steady heartbeat in a chaotic world. He notes that church attendance in Norway has risen slightly, with a significant increase among young adults. Veiteberg, who left his post after seven years to work with marginalized groups, emphasizes the need for community, hope, and inclusive practices in modern congregations. The event highlights the role of the church in offering spiritual support during uncertain times.
The Finnish Mission Council reports that the number of long-term missionaries has fallen to 40 percent of the 2000 level by the end of 2024. Council chairman Timo Elo attributes this drop to the pandemic and questions whether Finland ignores a trend contrary to global growth. While short-term missions remain below pre-pandemic figures, Elo notes renewed spiritual interest among youth. He urges churches to be ready to support this potential future increase in missionary activity across member organizations.
The United States abruptly ended most international aid early this year, causing a seven-million-dollar funding loss for Church of Finland's work in Uganda and Kenya. Wycliffe Nsheka, the country director in Uganda, states the decision disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including disabled students who lose assistive devices and teenage mothers. The cuts impact 180,544 students, mostly refugees from neighboring countries. School construction halted overnight, leading to overcrowded classrooms and staff layoffs. The organization now seeks new donors to maintain educational services for these displaced populations.
The Korson parish in Vantaa, Finland, organized a unique sauna worship event called 'Pyhää höyryä' on May 13. Pastor Tuomas Antola initiated the idea after watching the Swedish Eurovision selection, noting the connection to the Finnish town of Vöyri. The event featured two prayer sessions in a tent sauna, including singing the Suvivirsi song in the Vöyri dialect. The initiative received positive feedback from the community. Following the service, attendees shared a meal with proceeds going to the Yhteisvastuu charity, before watching the Eurovision semi-final. Antola emphasized the spiritual value of sauna culture in Finland.
The Finnish Orthodox Church has described the government's recent budget decisions as harsh. On April 23, the administration announced permanent reductions of 10 million euros annually for both national churches in 2026 and 2027. This marks the second significant cut to state subsidies. The church notes that a previous 2024 reduction already lowered its central fund income by 14 percent. Officials justified the cuts based on expected growth in parish tax revenues, but the church argues these factors are not comparable. Consequently, the church is preparing structural changes to ensure financial stability while continuing its social and cultural duties in Finland.
The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church may drop its responsibility for funeral services following new state budget cuts. State Secretary Pekka Huokuna stated that the government plans to reduce compensation by approximately 10 million euros in 2026 and 2027. He expressed concern that these decisions were made before a required review of the church's societal costs was completed. Huokuna explained that while the church handles religious blessings using member taxes, the state should manage cemetery maintenance and cremation. This issue will be discussed at the Church Assembly in May 2025, as previous cuts have already sparked debate about the church's role in these public duties.
After a student stabbed three peers at Vähäjärvi School in Pirkkala, Finland, on Tuesday, the local parish is providing support. The suspect is in custody and injuries are not life-threatening. Pastor Tuomo Törmänen says the incident shocks the community. The church will remain open for prayer and youth activities. Staff will be available at the school and for personal conversations. The Tampere diocese also issued a statement expressing shock and offering counseling services to those affected by the violence.
Helsinki Pride organizers have refused to allow a joint float for Evangelical Lutheran churches in the capital region this year. The decision follows the recent Church Assembly vote rejecting a two-model view of marriage. Helsinki Pride executive director Annu Kemppainen stated that the church's stance caused significant distress within the community. Consequently, the organization does not view the churches as equal partners regarding visibility in the parade. While churches remain community partners for year-round youth work, they are not primary sponsors. The Pride parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 28.
Finnish bishops Mari Parkkinen and Kaisamari Hintikka, along with aid organization leaders, warn that government cuts to development aid will push the poorest into deeper crisis. They argue that aid builds trust and security, noting that African economies are growing faster than European ones. The government has already reduced aid by 1.2 billion euros, threatening Finland's reliability as a partner. The leaders emphasize that cutting support harms global stability and trade relations, urging Finland to maintain its commitments despite domestic economic challenges.
The Pope has appointed Raimo Goyarrola, the Catholic bishop in Finland, to lead the Catholic delegation in the joint commission for Lutheran-Catholic unity. According to Fides, this body facilitates ongoing dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation. Goyarrola expressed surprise at the appointment but viewed it as recognition of decades of respectful ecumenical work in the country. He thanked all those involved in the effort. The news highlights continued cooperation between the two major Christian traditions in Finland.
Inkeri Lutheran Church Bishop Ivan Laptev addressed the Inkeri Church Days in Lahti via Zoom due to visa issues. He reported that 400 confirmations occurred last year, a post-revolution high, driven by youth programs and people seeking faith amid the pandemic and war. Laptev emphasized maintaining good relations with Finnish bishops despite theological differences. He clarified that Finnish clergy serve only the Inkeri Church and invited continued mission work from Finnish organizations. The bishop also noted his recent participation in an Istanbul consecration.
The Estonian parliament voted on Wednesday to require the Estonian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate to sever its ties with Russia. The resolution passed with 60 votes in favor, 13 against, and 16 abstentions. Officials cite national security concerns, noting the Patriarchate supports the war in Ukraine. A new law prohibits religious groups from being led by entities backing conflict. The church has two months to comply. The decision also affects the Pühtitsa monastery. Finland's Orthodox Archbishop Elia supported the move, viewing it as a step toward spiritual freedom and historical restoration.
Terhomatti Hämeenkorpi, a retired Finnish archpriest, holds the country's largest private collection of Bibles translated into 186 different languages. The hobby began in the 1970s when he helped two Estonian construction workers find Estonian Bibles in Kristiinankaupunki, as religious materials were banned in the Soviet Union. Hämeenkorpi, who speaks several languages, gathers volumes through donations from friends, colleagues, and travelers. He notes that while many languages are represented, he still seeks Bibles in languages spoken by immigrants in Finland, such as Togo. The collection highlights the importance of reading scripture in one's native tongue.
The Catholic Church reported that global membership reached 1.406 billion in 2023, representing 17 percent of the world population. The largest growth occurred in Africa, where 281 million Catholics reside, particularly in a country in central Africa. Brazil also holds a significant number of adherents. While European membership remained stable, the number of priests declined worldwide by over 700. However, priestly vocations increased in Africa and Asia, suggesting future clergy will increasingly originate from these regions.
Church World Aid has launched an emergency program in Myanmar to support approximately 2,000 people affected by the recent earthquake. The organization is distributing cash assistance to help families cover urgent needs such as food, water, and medicine, especially since damaged roads hinder supply deliveries. This effort is backed by 50,000 euros from the disaster fund. The earthquake, measuring 7.7 magnitude, has caused widespread destruction and thousands of casualties across Myanmar and Thailand. Aid workers report that hospitals are overwhelmed and many residents remain trapped under rubble.
Translated from Suomi
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