Booklet: Male and female He created them – Homosexual relationships challenge the Christian concept of humanity – Päivi Räsänen
5.12.2019
Bishop Juhana Pohjola
I am summoned to Helsinki District Court on 24 January 2022 to answer criminal charges of incitement of a group. I will go before the court together with Päivi Räsänen, MD, (also) Member of Parliament. As editor-in-chief of the Luther Foundation of Finland, I am responsible for the publication of Päivi Räsänen’s 2004 booklet Male and female He created them: Homosexual relationships challenge the Christian concept of humanity, and for its distribution on our website. According to the prosecutor, the article contains derogatory opinions about homosexuals, which fulfill the criteria from the Criminal Code for incitement against an ethnic group, under Chapter 11: War crimes and crimes against humanity, Section 10: Ethnic agitation. Päivi Räsänen is also facing two other charges under the same section of the Criminal Code.
The case is historic and has received a lot of publicity in Finland and abroad. After all, Dr. Räsänen, MP, is a nationally known politician, and, in addition, this is the first time a Lutheran bishop is charged in court with “hate speech”. The culturally sensitive subject of sexual minorities adds a further dimension to the case. On a fundamental level, many see the trial as a search for the limits of the fundamental rights of the freedoms of expression and religion in relation to anti-discrimination and equality legislation. The prosecution set forth its own argumentation in the indictment, which our defense will soon respond to in court. I will not go through the trial in advance. However, I would like to share some thoughts before the date of the trial.
First of all, let me say something about the background of the case. Contrary to what some have suggested, there were no personal motives involving political parties or church politics. The intention was not to write provocatively in the hope of attracting media attention. There was no attempt to promote anyone’s career or gain public visibility. When I asked Päivi Räsänen to write this booklet, the starting point was to state the Christian teaching on the marriage of one man and one woman in a situation where there was an open debate in society regarding the registration of same-sex couples. There were spiritual reasons for this. The aim was to equip Christians to face current issues and to encourage the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland to stand by its confessional basis. If a booklet at the time publicly greeted by total silence suddenly pops up as a red flag on the prosecutor’s desk 15 years after its publication, well, that says more about the changes in society than it does about either the contents of the booklet or its publishers.
Secondly, I would like to say something about the defamatory language mentioned in the indictment. Again, this is not primarily a legal or a reputational issue for me, but a spiritual one. When I am accused of defamatory speech, as a Christian and as a pastor, I stand at all times before a greater court than the Helsinki District Court. God’s Holy Commandments “Thou shalt not kill” and “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” examine my speech and even the thoughts and attitudes of my heart more closely than does secular law. My speech should not harm anyone or anyone’s reputation, but instead I should defend my neighbor, speak well of people and turn everything to their advantage. I sorely confess that I fall short of even these commandments, and I remain entirely dependent on Christ’s forgiveness. Confessing this does not mean I am attempting to escape from societal responsibility. Of course, I believe that freedom of speech as a fundamental right should be understood so broadly that even offensive speech should be tolerated in an open democratic society without the threat of criminal prosecution, because self-engendering censorship is a much more damaging alternative. However, this does not mean that I or anyone else has the right to inappropriate or derogatory speech. Such is simply wrong, and it is bad manners. But a much more serious matter is that I will have to account at the final judgment for every word I have said, as will everyone else. (Matthew 12:36) But as to my social responsibility, we can all judge for ourselves whether the booklet contains offensive and derogatory language about homosexuals. In their assessment the police concluded that the booklet does not contain defamatory and/or abusive language, but that the subject matter itself might offend the reader.
Thirdly, I would like to say something about the very topic the booklet discusses. Here, I represent the shared historical and Christian view, based on natural law and biblical revelation, that there are only two sexes, male and female, which, equal but different, complement each other. Sexual life is intended only for the marriage of a man and a woman, reflecting the simultaneous loving relationship of the persons of the Holy Trinity, at once equal and separate. The gift of marriage is afforded for the protection of the spouses and the children, who need both a father and a mother. Although it may sound offensive, the practice of homosexuality is contrary to the order of creation. Like all other sexual activity outside of marriage, it does not fulfill God’s good order of creation but is a violation of the 6th Commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Nonetheless, every man and every woman is equally valuable regardless of how they realize the broken gift of sexuality in a fallen world. This is what I will continue to publicly teach regardless of the court’s decision. After all, in the final analysis this is about the gospel of Christ’s grace.
This booklet deals with the preservation of the institution of marriage that sustains society and culture, and with the defense of the Christian teaching on marriage. In the lengthy avalanche of the sexual revolution, we moved from the LGB acronym to TQ+ some time ago. Personally, I see this entanglement not only as a culture war and a human rights struggle but also as a profoundly spiritual battle between the Christian faith and the neopaganism that proclaims the individual as its own creator. At the same time, we must keep in mind the faces and names of our neighbors, those whose heart-rendering questions are treated in an altogether overly simplified manner, only at the level of institutions and argumentation. How can we speak the truth while looking people in the eye with love?
I would like to say two things concurrently. On the one hand, I want to affirm God’s unconditional love for all those who have experienced discrimination and fear, and who have had to listen to homophobic insults, for example. Our identity and our worth are not determined by the opinions of others, nor by our sexual, or any other, inclinations, but by the fact that we are created in the image of God, which image is renewed by the grace and love of Christ so that we may live in fellowship with Him. And on the other hand, I want to say, recognizing the responsibilities of my pastoral office, that those who knowingly walk beneath the rainbow flag, who themselves pursue said lifestyle or the LGBTQ agenda counter to the order of creation, these are in open rebellion against God. In our time we all must make a choice whether to acknowledge the Creator’s order of creation or our own right to choose, whether to kneel before the cross of Christ or the rainbow flag. Even on this question, we cannot serve two masters.
Fourthly, I want to say something about this process that for me has proceeded from wonder to concern to shock. It all started with a complaint about this booklet, requesting a police investigation on 29 August 2019. Contrary to the extensively reasoned decision of the Detective Chief Inspector, the Prosecutor General of Finland unexpectedly decided on 31 October 2019 to order a preliminary investigation and finally to file charges on 29 April 2021. Now the Helsinki District Court will hear the case on 24 January 2022, and it is possible that the process will take years before a final decision is reached. Regardless of the court’s decision, such a long, time-consuming and resource-monopolizing public process is in itself punitive, especially for Päivi Räsänen, who has carried a much heavier burden than I have. My great concern is what kind of signal of fear and intimidation this indictment broadcasts into society. After all, the greatest threat to the freedom of expression is self-censorship due to fear.
However, even in these events I see the good providence and guidance of God. In Finland, which prides itself on the principles of the rule of law, this case has sparked a budding self-critical discussion regarding the constantly diminishing state of the freedoms of speech and religion. Increasingly, many people are talking in public about hate speech hysteria, the new intolerance, and the mental steps taken backwards, shuffling towards the stale soviet-style Finland. The charges brought against us illustrate the problematic nature of hate speech interpretations that swell up like a hot bun dough in the midst of the cultural upheaval of the Western cancel and woke culture. It is correct and proper to criticize the state of the legal protection of citizens and the lack of clarity of the Finnish law in case a Detective Chief Inspector and the Prosecutor General of Finland disagree over the basic interpretation of incitement offenses. The freedom of expression is exceedingly precious, and it is shared by all. Even though many people disagree with the contents of Päivi Räsänen’s booklet, this cannot be a reason for not defending the freedom of expression of those holding different views.
Many, however, wish to play down the significance of this case and warn against an overblown interpretation, such as—“the persecution has begun and soon the Bibles will be taken away.” I myself do not think that the freedoms of speech and religion have disappeared in our country, but neither did I ever think that I would be in the dock for publishing a booklet. You can still have your say, especially in private and in your own circles, but, how many people will go out of their way publicly, under their own names, and at the risk of losing their own positions, in order to oppose what is proclaimed in society and by the media to be the only correct and good ideas? When intolerant mantras of tolerance and one-sided demands for pluralism are running rampant throughout society, legislation and jurisprudence must be crystal clear in their support for the fundamental pillars of a free society: the freedoms of speech and religion. That is why the handling of our case is also important in terms of setting an international example.
I also want to receive this lawsuit from God’s good hand. After all, it is not something I have chosen and taken as a goal for myself, but, rather, almost twenty years ago I wanted to teach the congregations about the basics of the Christian faith through a series of educational booklets. The mission of patient witnessing and teaching continues.
The noble task all of us face in this age is to speak and act in truth and love, each in his or her own vocation and in our weaknesses, for us to act as the Word of God states and our consciences oblige. I know that we do not have to go through this on the basis of our own strength. The prayers of many around the world are upholding our country, our judicial authorities, and ourselves through this.
I am going to the District Court in Helsinki on Monday 24 January 2022 a bit tense, but with a calm mind and a clear conscience. What can you do when you open the doors of the District Court in good company next to Päivi Räsänen but sigh: I published this. I’m not going to back out. May the Lord guide in everything!
Bishop Juhana Pohjola
Link to the unofficial government translation of the Finnish Criminal Code (pdf):
Chapter 11 – War crimes and crimes against humanity (212/2008)
The International Lutheran Council (ILC) invited Bishop Juhana Pohjola for a speaking tour in the USA 9 Nov. – 17 Nov. 2021. The title of the tour was: On Account of Me, You will stand. The background of the tour was the protest and petition published by the ILC last July on behalf of Dr. Päivi Räsänen, Member of Parliament, Finland, and the Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, because of the criminal charges raised against them. During the tour, the Bishop spoke in Washington, D.C., Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Boston and Westminster. The program also included several meetings and interviews.
In Washington, D.C., Bishop Pohjola visited the headquarters of the Alliance Defending Freedom, an organization dedicated to defending the freedoms of religion and expression. Accompanying him were ILC representatives the Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, Secretary General, the Rev. Roger James, and Mathew Block, Communications Manager.
In his speeches, Bishop Pohjola highlighted the beginnings of the Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Diocese of Finland—and then the legal proceedings triggered by an educational booklet written by Dr. Päivi Räsänen. The Bishop highlighted how this criminal prosecution in Finland is part of a wider cultural upheaval where issues of identity related to race, gender and sexual orientation form the main moral compass and the grand narrative of our time in the struggle between good and evil. The trend is to narrow down the freedoms of speech and religion via ideologically tinged interpretations of equality. The main focus of his speech was on how Christians, despite opposition, can boldly confess their faith, teach God’s good order of creation, pray for their opponents and live from the gift of the forgiveness of sins.
God, the Creation, the Fall, Atonement and the true Christian life are part of the Church’s teaching throughout history. As a Lutheran bishop, it is my call and duty to adhere to these teachings and to teach them publicly, whatever the cost. The reason is not to fight a culture war but to call people to repentance and through faith in Christ to possess the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. In all this, it is not primarily an issue of legal matters but of the Gospel of Christ.
In Fort Wayne, Bishop Pohjola visited the Seminary of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, the sister church of the Mission Diocese. He studied at Concordia Theological Seminary from 1997-1998. He met both faculty and students, and preached in the Seminary Chapel. He also visited two Lutheran congregations, St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne, and Advent Lutheran, Indianapolis. The trip then continued to Missouri Synod congregations in Boston and nearby Westminster. There he also met several congregants with Finnish roots.
The speaking tour deepened the Mission Diocese’s ties with its sister church in the United States, raised awareness of the work of the ILC, and highlighted common cultural challenges Christians face in the areas of the freedoms of expression and religion. The warm welcome, encouragement and support demonstrated that we in the Mission Diocese are not alone, but that Finland is remembered by thousands of intercessors.
Further links:
ILC streamed lecture: https://ilc-online.org/2021/10/18/american-lecture-tour-by-bishop-juhana-pohjola/
CTS Seminary, Chapel, sermon 12 November 2021: https://www.ctsfw.edu/daily-chapel/
The Federalist: In Case With Global Implications, Finland Puts Christians On Trial For Their Faith
Pictures: Mathew Block
Bishop Jose Luis de Miguel
Outside Madrid, the Annual Assembly of the Spanish Evangelical Lutheran Church (Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Española, IELE) was held on 8-10 October 2021. As does the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF), the IELE belongs to the International Lutheran Council (ILC). What made the event extraordinary was the consecration of the first Lutheran bishop in Spanish history. Pastor Jose Luis de Miguel (59) was consecrated Bishop by the Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, Bishop of the Mission Diocese and his assistants.
In the 16th century during the Reformation, Lutheran teaching also spread to Spain, but the harsh counter-Reformation forced Lutheran Christians to flee. As a result of the missionary work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina and of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, United States, there has been a registered Lutheran Church in Spain since 2004. It currently has four congregations spread throughout Spain and also several mission sites.
Pastor Marcos Berndt, a member of the Isaiah Congregation of the Mission Diocese of Jyväskylä, Finland, has been a missionary in Spain from Argentina since the early days of the IELE.
The Rev. Dr. Arthur A. Just (professor, Fort Wayne, USA), who preached at the ordination Mass and who has often visited Spain on teaching missions, reminded the new Bishop of the historicity of the situation and encouraged him in the work of the Gospel.
We are gathered to ordain the first Lutheran Bishop in Spain in the historic town of El Escorial, the center of the counter-Reformation under King Philip II. A Bishop has been called “the minister of the body and soul”, because Christ, born in the flesh, came to make new what had been broken by sin. By calling people to repentance and to the ownership of the forgiveness of sins through the preaching of the Word and the Holy Communion of the Lord, we show mercy. In the midst of our sickness and distress, we receive the Savior spiritually and corporally. That is why a bishop is a minister of body and soul.
At the close of the Annual Assembly, Bishop Jose Luis de Miguel conducted his first episcopal duty, ordaining Antonio Suarez to the pastoral ministry in the Cartagena region. The festivities continued with the new pastor baptizing a baby girl at the same Mass.
Bishops Juhana Pohjola and Jose Luis de Miguel
In his greeting, Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Mission Diocese encouraged the representatives of the congregations with the biblical promise that with the gifts of Christ, the fullness of the Church is present even in the smallest of congregations.
Participants in the consecration of the new bishop
Bishop Juhana Pohjola
The Mission Diocese held its 3-day summer festival on the premises of the Loimaa Evangelical College. This culminated in the solemn consecration of the new Bishop on Sunday 1 August 2021. Bishop Risto Soramies with assisting pastors and bishops consecrated the Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola (49) to serve as the new bishop of the Mission Diocese. The huge main tent and the surrounding smaller ones, as there were health and safety measures to be taken into consideration, held over 800 guests. The festive mass itself was celebrated in fine weather despite a very menacing weather forecast.
The procession of the Cross preparing for the mass to begin. The bishop’s crosier is carried by the Rev. Kalle Väätäinen, the pectoral cross by the Rev. Dr. Petri Hiltunen, the chasuble by the Rev. Miika Nieminen, and the mitre by the Rev. Ville Typpö, all of them regional provosts.
The brass ensemble, the choir and the singing congregation received the lengthy Procession of the Cross, in which the regional provosts before the bishop elect carried the symbols of the bishop’s office with the current Bishop, the Rev. Risto Soramies, closing up the procession. The Rev. Joel Kerosuo, who was serving his first day as diocesan dean, was an assisting liturgist. Bishop Risto Soramies, on his last day as Bishop of the Mission Diocese, preached the sermon. In his sermon he reminded the attending congregation of the importance of the calling each person had received from God.
Bishop Risto Soramies preached a sermon in the consecratory service of the bishop, providing guidance for the future for the task of the bishop elect.
The outgoing bishop counselled the bishop elect on how he does not have to invent anything original as the Gospel of Jesus Christ will always suffice, furthermore it will always be timely. The mission of the Bishop is to feed the flock with the Word of God and to make sure that no strange doctrines get in and tear it apart.
“Draw in from the abundance of grace for yourself and for your diocese. Grace increases when it is used. The Word of the forgiveness of sins will never grow old,” Bishop Soramies reminded the bishop elect.
At the onset of the consecration, the Rev. Dr. Samuli Siikavirta, the diocesan notary, read the bishop’s credentials, after which Bishop Risto Soramies asked the attending congregation: “Do you wish to receive Juhana Pohjola as your bishop and take him into your prayers.” The tent was filled with a strong and unwavering answer: “We do.”
Bishop Risto Soramies asked the bishop elect the required questions about commitment and preparedness. The assisting bishops and pastors all read portions from the Bible.
The bishop elect was asked about his commitment to the faith of the Church and his readiness to suffer for the salvation of the flock if need be.
President Matthew Harrison of the Missouri Synod hands the crosier to Juhana Pohjola
As the choir sang a hymn from the Pentecost Season, Juhana Pohjola received the symbols of the episcopal office. Bishop Soramies placed his pectoral on him, Bishop Thor Henrik With and Bishop Bengt Ådahl from the sister dioceses of Norway and Sweden assisted in clothing him in his robe, President Matthew Harrison of the Missouri Synod handed the crosier to him, and after the prayer of consecration Bishop Hanss Jensons of the Latvian Lutheran Church set the mitre on the new Bishop’s head.
The laying on of hands. The Bishops emeriti of the Mission Diosece together with its pastors as well as the representatives of the sister churches bless Juhana Pohjola upon his episcopate.
The two pastors from the Mission Diocese to participate in the laying on of hands were the Rev. Mika Tervakangas, the youngest and the Rev. Sakari Korpinen the oldest pastor in the service of the Diocese.
Bishop Pohjola and those attending the consecratory service at the altar spontaneously joined in a traditional hymn “Now we thank the good Lord and praise Him with joy”.
With the Bible verse of Jesus “Care for my sheep” Bishop emeritus Soramies sent the freshly elected Bishop upon his mission. As the newly consecrated Bishop turned to face his congregation, the tent was filled with the resounding, joyous continuation of the hymn “Now we thank the good Lord…”
The first duty of the new Bishop was to serve the congregation with the gift of Holy Communion. The door of heaven was open to all to come and partake of Christ and receive the forgiveness of sins.
The divine service ended with a touching moment when Bishop Risto who had been shepherding the Mission Diocese for the past eight years laid down his crosier, kneeling in prayer. While he still continues to serve congregations, the responsibility of care for the Diocese remained at the Lord’s altar. Bishop Juhana Pohjola then took his place at the rear of the Recession of the Cross.
Bishop Juhana Pohjola leading his diocesan colleagues and the representatives of the sister churches in a prayer of thanksgiving at the end of the mass.
The three bishops, two of Bishop Juhana’s predecessors, in the continuum of the episcopacy: Bishop Risto Soramies left, Bishop Juhana Pohjola centre and Bishop Matti Väisänen right.
The consecratory service of the new bishop can be viewed from the YouTube-channel of the Diocese or directly from the link beneath.
Photos: Kari Puustinen
Diocesan Dean Juhana Pohjola
God willing, the Reverend Juhana Pohjola, ThD, will be installed into the Episcopal office on Sunday 1 August 2021. The installation is to take place in southwestern Finland (Loimaa) during the summer festivities of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland.
Upon entering into office Rev. Juhana will be the first full-time Bishop of the Mission Diocese. Bishop Risto Soramies, who preceeded Rev. Juhana, tended to the office during his retirement years, as did Bishop Emeritus Matti Väisänen prior to him. The responsibility of the Bishop of the Mission Diocese is to uphold the proper preaching of the Word and the administration of the Sacraments in the congregations. Further, he is to bolster spiritual unity, be the shepherd of the pastors as well as direct the overall work of the Diocese.
We invite you to remember Rev. Juhana and his family in your prayers as he prepares himself for this new calling.
We wish to offer you the possibility to send a congratulatory message to Pastor Juhana upon his installation. By filling in the following fields, you can send a personal message to the bishop elect. All the messages will be collected and delivered after the installation.
The bishop will be presented with the bishop’s crosier, vestments and pectoral cross. The installation ceremony will naturally incur extra costs. You may, if you so desire, participate in covering these expenses. Nonetheless, the largest change is the fact that beginning on 1 September the Mission Diocese will have a salaried bishop. You too can have the possibility to support the Mission Diocese and its bishop with regular donations.
Below, you will find banking information. Underneath that are fields for sending your congratulatory messages.
Dean Juhana Pohjola
The Prosecutor General [of Finland] has brought charges against the Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, Dean of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland and MP Päivi Räsänen, MD. The case concerns Päivi Räsänen’s pamphlet Male and Female He Made Them — Homosexual relationships challenge the Christian concept of humanity, published by the Finnish Luther Foundation in 2004. The indictment is for incitement to hatred against a group.
As a representative of the Luther Foundation and editor-in-chief of its website, Dr. Pohjola, Bishop Elect of the Mission Diocese, has been responsible for the distribution of this pamphlet. According to the Prosecutor General, Dr. Räsänen’s writing is degrading and discriminatory against homosexuals. Diocesan Dean Pohjola denies having committed the offense of incitement.
“As a Christian, I neither want to nor can I discriminate against or degrade anyone created by God. Every human being is created by God and redeemed by Christ, and is thus equally precious. This is precisely the main theme of Dr. Räsänen’s writing. This does not negate the fact that, in accordance with the Bible and the Christian concept of humanity, homosexual relations are against the will of God, and that marriage is intended to be only between a man and a woman. This is what the Christian church has always taught and will always teach.
“The decision of the Prosecutor General reveals a great deal about our day and age. It is, after all,
historic that on account of the distribution of basic Christian teaching, we are summoned to district
court. While I am concerned about the state of religious freedom in our country, I trust that the
judiciary will reach the right decision.”
Today [29 April 2021] the Prosecutor General filed a document instituting proceedings in Helsinki District Court, which will set a date for the hearing.
Links:
Prosecutor General’s Press Release (Finnish, Swedish)
Male and Female He Created Them: text from the website of the Mission Diocese
The Diocesan Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF, Mission Diocese) has on 23 January 2021 elected Diocesan Dean Juhana Pohjola as the next Bishop of the Mission Diocese. The ordained and two lay delegates from each congregation gave Pohjola 111 votes (90.2 %) through advance voting, whilst the other candidate Esko Murto received 12 votes. 95 % of the delegates voted in the election.
– I wish to express my gratitude for the great confidence you have shown in me by giving me such strong support and by electing me for this important and demanding task. I feel great weakness faced with such a great task and calling but I know that the matter has been discussed in the congregations and that many prayers and intercessions have been said for the matter, which encourages me to look forward from this, newly elected Pohjola commented in his thank you speech.
Dean Pohjola thanked his predecessors for the example they had set. He especially remembered Bishop Matti Väisänen’s legendary phrase at his consecration service concerning the episcopal pectoral cross.
– It is carried not on one’s stomach but on one’s heart. God willing, I also wish to be such a Bishop who will carry Christ’s sign of the cross on my heart and who will preach the Word of Life that alone makes us alive and that alone builds up the Church. For ultimately, we all are and our Church is upon the heart of our heavenly Father. In this regard, we have a massive, great common task in our dear fatherland and also on the mission field.
Bishop Risto Soramies’ characterisation of himself as ‘the world’s most wretched prayer’ spurred Pohjola to ponder on the meaning of intercession.
– The Apostle Paul, in nearly every one of his letters, asks the Church over and over again to pray for him and his coworkers. I think that if I am to be consecrated as Bishop of the Mission Diocese in August, I will be a Bishop who will need the most intercessions in the world.
Rev Dr Pohjola will succeed Risto Soramies (as Bishop from 2013 to 2021) as the second Bishop of the Mission Diocese. Matti Väisänen served as the first Finnish Bishop of the Mission Province of Sweden and Finland from 2010 until the foundation of the independent Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland in 2013.
– The pastoral college and the delegates of congregations elected Rev Dr Juhana Pohjola as Bishop of the our Church body. The ELMDF had the good fortune and the blessing of being able to choose from two learned and proven pastors. The pastoral gifts and tested courage of Dean Pohjola will certainly serve our congregations well. It is a blessing and a reason to be thankful to God for the retiring bishop to see a good man succeeding him in the office. May God grant Dean Pohjola all the grace and stamina that he will need as the shepherd of the shepherds and of the congregations, Bishop Soramies commented.
Juhana Pohjola (born 1972) currently serves as Diocesan Dean of the Mission Diocese (2013 to present) and as Dean of its supporting trust, The Luther Foundation Finland (2000 to 2011, 2012 to present). Previously, he has served as Head Pastor of St Mark’s Lutheran Church, Helsinki (2000 to 2010) and been a Visiting Scholar at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St Catharines, Canada (2011 to 2012). He holds the degrees of MTh (University of Helsinki, 1997), STM (Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, USA, 1998) and ThD (University of Helsinki, 2014). In his doctoral dissertation, he studied the view the Office of the Ministry and ordination in Finnish ordination rites. He is married, father of four children, and enjoys playing tennis and reading.
Dean Pohjola was ordained in the Diocese of Oulu (The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, ELCF) in 1999 to serve the newly founded Luther Foundation Finland (LFF) in building independent confessional Lutheran communities within the ELCF. After breaking fellowship with the ELCF Bishop of Helsinki for doctrinal differences in 2004, the LFF was shunned by the ELCF. This led to a great deal of unexpected publicity and a rapid growth in the work of the LFF under Pohjola’s leadership. Pohjola was defrocked by the ELCF in 2014 for serving the Mission Diocese that was seen as a separate church body. In 2020, Dean Pohjola was interrogated by the police for a booklet written by MP Päivi Räsänen and published by the LFF in 2004 on the biblical view on creation and sexuality, citing the ethnic agitation law of 2011. The ongoing case concerns the freedom of religion and expression and has attracted worldwide attention.
Dean Pohjola’s Consecration into the Episcopal Office is currently planned to take place at the Mission Diocese Summer Festival in Loimaa, Finland, on 1 August 2021.
Churches are exhorted to join us in the following prayer:
Almighty and merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, You have given Your Church the Holy and Apostolic Office through which You shepherd us by Your Word and Sacraments, protect us from error and and keep us steadfast on the way of eternal life. We thank You that You have through Your Holy Spirit led Your Church to elect Juhana Pohjola as our future Bishop. We pray You: equip him for this noble Office of Overseer with faithfulness and wisdom for the benefit of Your Church. Keep us united in in the truth and love of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and heavenly High Priest, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland is a confessional Lutheran church with ca. 40 congregations and 2,200 members in Finland. The ELMDF is a member of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) and is in full fellowship with the Mission Province in Sweden, The Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Norway, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of England, The Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (Germany), Lutheran Church—Canada and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (USA). The vision of the Mission Diocese is to continue to live out that biblical, Lutheran faith and ecclesiastical life which, in many places and in many ways, have been broken.
Press Release 16 November 2020
The Mission Diocese Declares Church Fellowship with the Missouri Synod
The Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland held its annual Diocesan Assembly at the Koinonia Centre in Helsinki on 14 November 2020. The Diocesan Assembly is the supreme decision-making body in the Mission Diocese. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, representatives from 38 congregations and their head pastors participated in the meeting online.
In addition to statutory matters, the declaration of church fellowship with The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) was on the agenda. The Missouri Synod is a confessional Lutheran church body in the United States of America with ca. two million members.
The Diocesan Assembly unanimously accepted the recognition of full communion with the LCMS.
In his letter addressed to the Diocesan Assembly, Missouri Synod President Matthew Harrison wrote that he rejoiced in being authorised to declare the recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Mission Diocese.
– Your hospitality, service to Christ, and commitment to Scripture and to the Lutheran Confessions in the face of opposition, remain an example and encouragement to me and to our entire church. It is with special joy and thanksgiving that I write on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod humbly to extend our hand of fellowship to the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland.
– We look forward to a strong relationship based upon our common confession of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, wrote President Harrison in his letter.
Risto Soramies, Bishop of the Mission Diocese, who led the discussions of church fellowship with the LCMS, told the Assembly that full communion does not mean the renunciation of our independence or spiritual tradition but altar and pulpit fellowship on the basis of a common faith.
– Now our congregants may receive Holy Communion with each other and our pastors may preach at one another’s Divine Services. Our co-operation will certainly deepen in theological education and in the mission field – the Missouri Synod is, after all, a strong global operator. It is encouraging for us to see how the Mission Diocese is being recognised as a church body and how our work is being appreciated, Bishop Soramies sheds light on the significance of the decision.
Further information:
Secretariate of the Mission Diocese
Diocesan Secretary Mr. Sami Niemi
sami.niemi@lhpk.fi
tel. +358 (0)50 5225 855
Anssi Simojoki 7.9.1944 – 6.7.2020
Program of the funeral service and reception is located here
In loving memory of Dr Anssi Simojoki
Please join us for a memorial service celebrating the life of Dr Anssi Simojoki on Friday 31st July at 1 pm (UTC+3) at the new church in Uusikaupunki, Finland. The funeral will be streamed live on the Mission Diocese Youtube-channel https://www.youtube.com/Lähetyshiippakunta-lhpk or directly at https://youtu.be/U2ZgyMwrRf0
Instead of flowers, we ask that our father would be commemorated by supporting the reprint of Martin Luther’s On Christian Freedom in Swahili through Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Anssi was part of the original translation team and when he visited Kenya last October and found out the book was out of print, he strongly suggested that it would be reprinted. The book will be distributed all over East Africa.
You can support the reprint with the following information:
Receiver: Suomen luterilainen lähetystuki
Account: FI57 5410 0220 3884 28
Reference: 3340
You can also donate online www.sllt.fi/lahjoita. The support will be wired in full amount to Lutheran Heritage Foundation who will oversee the printing, distribution and introduction of the book.
For USA (if you whish to donate straight to LHF)
Go to https://www.lhfmissions.org/support/donate-now/
Set Gift amount
Set destination to Kenya
Select “This gift is in honor, memory, or support of someone” and set to “In memory of”
Type “Anssi Simojoki”
Give payment details and click “Donate”
Guide
”I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.” Ps 118:17
You are all sincerely welcome!
Marja Simojoki
Martti and Hanna-Kaisa Simojoki
Tapani and Sarah Simojoki
Anna and Jussi-Pekka Rauha
Helena and Paul Simons
Tuomo and Leena Simojoki
Lassi and Suvi-Tuuli Simojoki
Yksityiskohtainen ohjelma pdf-tiedostona: Anssi Simojoen siunaustilaisuus ja muistojuhla
Detailed program in english as a pdf-file: Anssi Simojoki Funeral service and reception
Alkumusiikkia – Processional music
Ylösveisuu – Luterilaisia Virsiä 894 – Processional hymn – Up, up, my soul, and sing
Alkuvirsi – Vanha Suomalainen Virsikirja 410 – Hymn – In heavn’ above
Johdanto – Introduction
Rippi – Confession and Absolution
Rippisaarna – Confessional address
Yksinlaulu – Song
Epistola (1 Kor. 15:50–58) – Epistle (1 Cor. 15:50–58)
Psalmi (Ps. 118:15-25) – Psalm (Ps. 118:15-25)
Evankeliumi (Joh. 11:20–26) – Gospel (John 11:20–26)
Saarna – Sermon
Ruumissaarna – Funeral Sermon
Uskontunnustus – Apostle’s creed
Omaiset laskevat kukkalaitteen – The family place a bouquet by the casket
Ruumiinsiunaus – Committal
Rukous – Prayers
Isä meidän -rukous – The Lord’s Prayer
Herran siunaus – Benediction
Loppuvirsi – Virsikirja 320 – Hymn–Te Deum
Loppumusiikkia – Recessional music
Virsi – Virsikirja 270 – Hymn – I will sing my Maker’s praises
Puhe – Speech
Musiikkiesitys – Musical performance
Puhe – Speech
Lauluesitys – Song performance
Puhe – Speech
Virsi – Luterilaisia Virsiä 897 – Hymn – With my own eyes in time I shall
Puhe – Speech
Loppuvirsi – Achrenius 155 – Hymn – God’s goodness so amazing
Muistotilaisuus päättyy – End of the reception.
Suora lähetys päättyy – Live Stream ends
Siirtyminen uudenkaupungin hautausmaalle – The funeral procession proceeds to the Uusikaupunki cemetery for the burial.
Rev Dr Juhana Pohjola, Dean of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, was summoned to be interrogated at the Helsinki Police Department on 11 February 2020, suspected of ‘ethnic agitation.’[1]
The police interrogation lasted for five hours. The interrogation focused on the facts surrounding the publication and distribution of the booklet written by Päivi Räsänen, Member of the Finnish Parliament and former Minister of the Interior, entitled Male and female He created them – Homosexual relationships challenge the Christian concept of humanity. Furthermore, the interrogation carefully went over those sections of the booklet that the Finnish Prosecutor General had taken to be defamatory and insulting to homosexuals.
“At the tactful and thorough interrogation, I said that I am, as the editor-in-chief, responsible for the publication and distribution of the booklet. I denied, however, being guilty of the crime of ethnic agitation. In my view, Mrs Räsänen’s text is not defamatory or insulting to homosexuals. In my answers, I showed that the booklet teaches in line with Christian anthropology that every person is precious as [being created in] the image of God, regardless of sexual orientation. This does not mean, however, that people are not responsible before God for their way of life or moral choices. The homosexual lifestyle is contrary to God’s order of creation and a transgression against His will. If one is not allowed to teach this publicly, the message of sin and grace will be left without a foundation, and freedom of religion will decline,” Pohjola says.
The preliminary investigation will now go on and the interrogation protocol will be passed on to the Prosecutor. Dean Pohjola will still have the opportunity to give a final statement before the Prosecutor decides whether to prosecute and bring the charge to the District Court, or not to prosecute.
This matter has been in Mission Diocese news earlier:
Dean of Diocese to Preliminary Investigation by Police
Booklet: Male and female He created them – Homosexual relationships challenge the Christian concept of humanity (The booklet may be read in English via this link – as well as the news item of the announcement of this investigation by the Prosecutor General of Finland. It is also available in Swedish here.)
In English in other media:
Finnish Lutherans under investigation for upholding biblical teachings on sexuality (International Lutheran Council, 05/12/2019)
Finnish police investigate Lutheran cleric for publishing book calling homosexuality a ‘disorder’ (LifeSiteNews, 05/02/2020)
Criminalizing Christian Teachings about Sex (blog by Gene Veith, Patheos, 11/02/2020)
Leader of evangelical Lutheran churches investigated for distribution of booklet on homosexuality (Evangelical Focus, 12/02/2020)
Christians Face LGBT Persecution in Finland (Fulcrum7, 13/02/2020)
Lutheran Leader Interrogated by Finnish Police Over Role in Distribution of ‘Male and Female He Created Them’ Booklet (Christian News, 13/02/2020)
ILC concerned over investigation of Finnish Lutherans, urges prayer (International Lutheran Council, 14/02/2020)
Finnish Evangelical pastor, MP under investigation over anti-LGBTQ booklet (Jerusalem Post, 19/02/2020)
[1] The Criminal Code of Finland (1889/39 and 2011/511), Chapter 11, Section 10 defines ethnic agitation as follows: “A person who makes available to the public or otherwise spreads among the public or keeps available for the public information, an expression of opinion or another message where a certain group is threatened, defamed or insulted on the basis of its race, skin colour, birth status, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation or disability or a comparable basis, shall be sentenced for ethnic agitation to a fine or to imprisonment for at most two years.” (finlex.fi, translation from Wikipedia)
