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Irja AskolaFirst female bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
Date of Birth: 18.12.1952
Country:  Finland |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Ordination and Church Career
- Election as Bishop of Helsinki
- Installation and Episcopal Ministry
- Liberal Views and Criticism
Early Life and Education
Irja Askola was born on December 18, 1952, in Lappeenranta, Finland. She holds a Master's degree in Theology, specializing in "Church Sociology." Askola continued her theological studies in Germany and the United States and graduated from the School of Church Leaders in Ecumenism in Tanzania.
Ordination and Church Career
In 1988, Askola was ordained as a pastor. Her church career included:2004: Elected representative to the Church Council and member of the Department of External Church Relations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
Held various positions in the Espoo Diocese, including Theological Secretary to Bishop Mikko Heikan
Election as Bishop of Helsinki
On February 2, 2010, Askola was a candidate for Bishop of Helsinki. In the second round of voting on June 3, 2010, she defeated the other candidate, Matti Poutiainen, by a vote of 591 to 567.
Installation and Episcopal Ministry
On September 1, 2010, Irja Askola officially assumed the position of Bishop of Helsinki. Her diocese encompassed 40 parishes with 534,000 members and provided worship services in Russian, Estonian, Chinese, and Arabic. She was ordained a bishop by Archbishop Kari Mäkinen on September 12, 2010.
Liberal Views and Criticism
Bishop Askola is known for her liberal views, particularly on the rights of homosexuals. She supports the right of same-sex couples to receive church blessings after a civil marriage. The Catholic Church in Finland expressed regret over her election as Bishop.
