LCMS International Mission

Religious freedom at stake in Finland

Finnish Lutherans on trial for confessing scriptural views on marriage, sexuality

Since 2019, the Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, and Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a longstanding member of the Finnish Parliament, have been embroiled in a court case resulting from their refusal to denounce Räsänen’s 2004 pamphlet Man and Woman He Created Them: Homosexuality and the Challenge to the Christian Concept of Man, which confesses the biblical view of marriage and sexuality.

This page contains coverage of their trial and other information and resources, including prayers for them and our Finnish partner church as they continue to confess the truth of Scripture.

Updates

‘To Live Is Christ’

The Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland stands firm on the Word of God, despite opposition and persecution.

Pohjola and others continue to preach and teach Christ crucified in accord with the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions.

Read Engage story

A Prayer for Those Persecuted in Finland

As Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola and Dr. Päivi Räsänen prepare for their upcoming day in court, we invite LCMS members to give thanks for their faithfulness and to remember them in their prayers.

View prayer

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