Irja Askola
The Right Reverend Irja Askola | |
---|---|
Finnish | |
Alma mater | University of Helsinki |
Irja Kaarina Askola (born 18 December 1952 in
Askola was the Bishop of Helsinki from 2010 to 2017.
Early life and career
Askola first became involved with the Church as a child after the early death of her father.[1] She started her theological studies at the University of Helsinki 1971 and continued them as an academic research assistant until 1981. In 1982 she was named the editor-in-chief of Vartija magazine together with Simo Knuuttila.[2]
She graduated as Master of Theology in 1975, and was ordained as a priest in 1988.
Askola has worked as an executive secretary for the Conference of European Churches, based in Geneva, Switzerland from 1991 to 1999. She has also worked as a Special Advisor in Theological Affairs to the Bishop Mikko Heikka.[3]
She was elected Bishop of Helsinki in June 2010 as successor to Eero Huovinen; she was chosen on the second round of the election with 591 votes.[4]
Episcopacy
Askola was installed on 12 September 2010 by the
Her consecration was attended by other women who are bishops — from Sweden, Germany and Denmark, and David Hamid, the Anglican Suffragan Bishop in Europe. Several Finnish public figures were also present, including President Tarja Halonen and Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi.[5]
In June 2013, Askola consecrated a same-sex couple for missionary work for the first time in Finland. Hundreds of conservative Finns resigned from the church in protest during the following days.[6]
Views
Askola is considered as a liberal; for example she supports
References
- ^ "Keeping the faith". Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ^ "Aikakauslehti Vartija ilmestyy nyt ilmaiseksi verkossa". Kirkko ja Kaupunki (in Finnish). 3 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ http://www.leuenberg.eu/side.php?news_id=11503&part_id=0&navi=10 [dead link]
- ^ "Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - Home". Archived from the original on 6 August 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
- ^ Hamid, David (14 September 2010). "Eurobishop: Bishop Irja Askola Consecrated as Bishop of Helsinki".
- ^ Eroakirkosta.fi - Lähetystyöhön siunattu homopari aiheutti eropiikin - konservatiiveja erosi kirkosta
- ^ "Avioaloite paisui ihmisoikeusasiaksi". 26 June 2014.
- ^ "Irja Askola is Finland's First Female Bishop". 3 June 2010.