Several female bishops from European churches were present at Helsinki’s Lutheran Cathedral on Sunday, when Finland’s Evangelical Lutheran Church ordained Irja Askola as Bishop of Helsinki.Guests from a number of foreign countries and churches had been invited to attend the ceremony, including for example from the Nordic countries, Namibia, and Anglican churches.
Even though the Finnish Orthodox and Catholic churches had criticised the choice of a woman as the Lutheran Bishop of Helsinki, both were represented at the ceremony.
Metropolitan Ambrosius of the Finnish Orthodox Church and Vicar-General Wieslaw Swiech of the Roman Catholic Church were present at the ordination.
President Tarja Halonen and her husband professor Pentti Arajärvi, as well as Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi (Centre), represented the state authorities.
The consecration at the Helsinki Cathedral was led by Archbishop Kari Mäkinen.
In his address to the new bishop, Mäkinen reminded her of the importance of building relationships and of overcoming the obstacles caused by differences.
In her sermon, Irja Askola said: ”People have a longing for trust. If we do not know how to speak with each other, even with those who have different opinions, backgrounds or lifestyles, we are on the way to destruction. Disagreement does not destroy us”.
Askola also pointed out that people need to hear that someone shows unconditional mercy toward them.
The new Bishop of Helsinki also said that a moderate way of life and sharing are theses common to all religions.
The 57-year-old Irja Askola was narrowly elected as the first woman bishop of Finland’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at the beginning of June.
SIC: HS/Finland