A conservative Anglican faction is gathering in a Nigerian city to choose a rival leader for the Archbishop of Canterbury. They oppose the appointment of Sarah Mullally, the first woman to hold the role, arguing that the Church of England imposes progressive views globally. A committee has proposed shared leadership among regional primates to address internal divisions. This proposal, suggesting historical rather than direct ties to Canterbury, will be discussed in a Northern Irish city. The move aims to resolve conflicts over sexuality and governance within the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Nariman Dzhelilov, a prominent Crimean Tatar leader, has been appointed Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey. After being imprisoned by Russian authorities in 2021 on fabricated charges, he served a seventeen-year sentence in Siberia. He was released in a prisoner exchange in June 2024. Dzhelilov previously served as deputy head of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis before Russia banned the body. He describes his journey from a Siberian prison to the diplomatic post as symbolic. According to his statements, he continues to advocate for Crimea's return to Ukraine and human rights, contrasting Russian rule with Ukrainian freedom.
According to deacon Kaisa Jaakkola of the Oulu parishes, homelessness in Finland is the visible result of accumulated issues like mental health challenges and debt. Statistics from the state-funded housing center Varke show a 20 percent increase in homelessness in 2025 compared to the previous year. The problem is particularly severe in major cities such as Helsinki, Espoo, and Turku. Jaakkola attributes the rise to higher housing costs and stricter benefit limits. While Oulu has adopted an 'housing first' approach, she notes that emergency shelters remain full and calls for greater societal commitment to reducing homelessness.
A 2024 report by the Israeli research group Crossing Center documents 111 incidents of harassment against Christians in Israel. The majority involved physical attacks on clergy, while spitting and property damage were also common. The article notes that perpetrators rarely face legal consequences. It cites examples such as an Armenian priest being targeted in Jerusalem and restrictions on attending church services. The situation is described as worsening, with many Christians considering leaving the region due to violence from settlers and pressure from other groups.
Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen has been invited to testify before the US House Judiciary Committee in Washington DC on February 4. The hearing will examine freedom of speech and religion in Europe. Räsänen stated that Committee Chairman Jim Jordan invited her to discuss her ongoing legal case in Finland and her assessment of fundamental rights in the region. She is preparing for a four-hour session. The invitation follows international concern regarding her prosecution for religious speech, which lower courts have dismissed. She will also attend a national prayer breakfast and a leadership conference during the trip.
Attendance at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland services reached approximately 3.3 million visits in 2025, marking a three percent increase from 2024. Arto Vallivirta of the Church Board attributes this growth to concerns about global conditions and sustained efforts to improve service accessibility. Participation in communion also rose by six percent, with 73.9 percent of attendees receiving it. The increase was concentrated in growth centers but also occurred in smaller towns. Additionally, Vallivirta notes a growing interest among youth and increased multicultural participation in main services, particularly in the capital region, signaling a positive trend for the future.
The Tampere Food Bank in Finland reports record demand for food assistance as poverty increases. Director Tanja Lähteenmäki states that nearly 800,000 Finns are officially poor, leading to more people seeking help who are truly hungry. Last year, the organization distributed approximately 178,000 food items. The group says resources are at capacity, with many recipients having empty pantries and no money. Lähteenmäki notes that rising living costs and benefit cuts make survival difficult, even for those with low wages. She urges people to seek support from church deaconry workers when they cannot afford food.
Russia’s foreign intelligence service, the SVR, has published a text labeling Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I as the devil and an antichrist. The outlet reports that the service also accuses the Greek leader of acting under British influence and causing a schism in Ukraine. Greek officials, including Vice Premier Pavlos Marinakis, have strongly condemned these claims and expressed full support for the Patriarch. The article states that this aggressive propaganda reflects Moscow’s anger over Constantinople’s 2019 recognition of Ukrainian church independence. It further notes that the Russian Orthodox Church remains subordinate to President Vladimir Putin and has severed ties with Constantinople.
Reports indicate the government in China is intensifying oversight to align religious practices with state ideology. Authorities have arrested leaders of underground congregations, though the total number of detainees is unclear. New rules forbid civil servants, educators, and medical staff from participating in religious activities. Minors are prohibited from entering worship spaces, even with guardians, to halt intergenerational faith transmission. Public evangelism is banned, and surveillance tools monitor attendance. While expansion has halted, millions continue to practice, albeit under restricted conditions within the atheist political framework.
An Iranian media professional now residing in Finland converted to Christianity after opposing the Iranian government. Born in a city in northwest Iran, he was influenced by a Christian friend and later studied theology in Cyprus. He now produces Persian-language Christian programs for Sat-7. He reports that Iran remains a dangerous place for converts, with the government cracking down on dissent and religious minorities. Open Doors ranks Iran tenth for Christian persecution. He hopes Christian media can reach believers in closed countries despite the risks.
The Church Heart's 750 Years of Education project has received a 25,000 euro grant from the Finnish Cultural Foundation. This funding supports the creation of the 'Tunne teksti' digital reading package, developed in collaboration with the Reading Centre. The initiative aims to address the limited use of fiction in confirmation classes by providing five novellas and discussion guides. According to the church's communication team, the material seeks to enhance youth dialogue and the significance of literature. The free package will be published online in autumn 2026 for nationwide use by confirmation schools and youth work, reaching approximately 48,000 young people annually in Finland.
Kyiv Catholic Bishop Vitaliy Krivitskiy met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 4 in Ukraine. According to The Catholic News Agency, the bishop described the encounter as very positive, emphasizing his role as a fellow Catholic rather than a politician. Rubio stated he prays nightly for the Ukrainian people. With the war entering its fourth year, the local church is focusing on providing warmth and food to residents suffering from power outages during the cold winter. The bishop noted that churches have become essential refuges for basic needs.
Finnish Archbishop Tapio Luoma, Catholic Bishop Raimo Goyarrola, and Orthodox Archbishop Elia met Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican on January 19, 2026. The delegation presented gifts supporting Ukrainian children's education and commemorative socks for the 750th anniversary of Finnish education. The meeting highlighted Finland's role as an ecumenical model. The archbishop emphasized the desire to promote understanding and peace among religions. The Pope praised the shared efforts of Orthodox, Lutheran, and Catholic leaders to foster a culture of hope and human dignity. This visit is part of the Saint Henry Memorial Day celebrations in Rome.
A Middle East expert states that protests in Iran have intensified due to economic hardship and human rights abuses. Demonstrators are prepared to fight the theocratic regime until the end. While some support the return of the former Shah’s son, the expert questions his democratic mandate. Minorities suffered under both the monarchy and the current government. The unrest involves diverse groups seeking freedom and a better future. There is no open support for the current leadership among Iranians in Finland.
On Sunday, January 18, Finnish churches will read a prayer day declaration by President Alexander Stubb. This event marks the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which runs until January 24. According to Laura Häkli of the Ecumenical Council of Finland, the observance is active across nearly all denominations. Stubb emphasizes the need for faith and hope during challenging times, highlighting the importance of community and listening. The week's materials, based on Armenian Christian traditions dating back to the fourth century, were translated into Finnish by Mika KT Pajunen. The initiative aims to foster unity and mutual support among believers. (Source: Kotimaa)
The Jyväskylä parish in Finland has launched a monthly letter program called Pyhäposse to engage 12- to 16-year-olds. The initiative, created by youth workers and a children's leader, sends free letters containing Bible stories, tasks, and encouragement directly to homes. According to the outlet, the project aims to lower barriers for teens who may feel awkward attending physical church events. The team recently received an award for its work. Participants report that the mail helps them feel connected to the community and offers a break from screen time while exploring faith at their own pace.
Finnish peace mediator Juha Christensen, who facilitated the release of a hostage in West Papua, Indonesia, says religious leaders must emphasize the message not to kill. Christensen, who worked on the Aceh peace process, argues that faith should motivate conflict resolution rather than violence. He believes religious figures have significant influence and should be included in peace efforts to prevent bloodshed. The mediator highlights the importance of trusting in a higher power that opposes harming others. His work continues across Southeast Asia, focusing on dialogue and trust-building among conflicting parties.
A complaint against Sarah Mullally, the future Archbishop of Canterbury, is being reviewed by the Church of England. The grievance, filed in 2020, was initially mishandled due to administrative errors. The complainant, identified as Survivor N, alleged that Mullally failed to properly address a report of abuse. York Archbishop Simon Cottrell is now examining the case and has accepted new testimony from the survivor. Mullally stated that church processes failed the complainant and promised reforms. A decision on whether to proceed with disciplinary action must be made by January 7. The complainant claims to have faced harassment as a result of the initial complaint.
The Lapua Cathedral Parish in Finland has become the first in the country to sign a friendship agreement with a church in Ukraine. The pact is with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Martin of Tours in Kyiv. Ukrainian representatives visited Lapua in October to discuss the partnership. The agreement focuses on diaconal work to support those suffering from the war. Tuomiopastori Jussi Peräaho states the bond offers support and enriches both communities. The Kyiv parish, registered in 2019, assists homeless individuals and war veterans. This initiative aligns with broader efforts by the Church of Finland to strengthen Christian ties with Ukraine during the ongoing conflict.
Translated from Suomi
Read more →
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
