CV NEWS FEED // The newly appointed bishop of Finland recently gave his account for the life of the Church in Finland, and his hopes for the future.
In an exclusive interview with Angelus News, Bishop Raimo Goyarrola Belda, who was born in Spain and is incardinated in the Prelature of Opus Dei, described the life of the Church in Finland, home to the world’s smallest Catholic population:
I’m convinced that we’re the poorest church in Europe, and perhaps one of the poorest in the world. This diocese is also very young. We’re growing and I’m working toward having an actual diocesan infrastructure, including a chancery building (which we don’t have)!
He continued:
I dream of a diocesan retreat house, of a property to have youth camps. I dream of having a Catholic school, which we don’t have. I dream of a home for the elderly, one that also offers palliative care. I have a long list of dreams!
“Finland is similar to Italy in land area, but only has a population of 5 1/2 million,” Bishop Belda said, noting the long distances to be travelled in order to attend Mass which is often celebrated in spaces shared with other Protestant and non-denominational churches.
The bishop added:
It’s a very small church, but a church that’s very alive, with lots of children and baptisms. It grows. Many migrants and refugees have been arriving here over the years, from places like Poland and Vietnam. From Latin America, many have come from Cuba, Argentina, and Chile. Now more are coming from Nicaragua and Venezuela.
Finland also sees refugees from African countries where the Church has experienced violence and persecution, such as Nigeria and Cameroon, he said.
However, Bishop Belda noted that despite Finland being “a rich, developed country,” cost of living is “really high” and the government does not provide aid to the Church.
“We’re a very poor Church,” he said, “The support comes from [Mass] collections, and our collections are very small because the people don’t have money. Then we need to keep the heat on pretty much year-round, and that;s very expensive.”
Despite the financial pressure, Bishop Belda said there is a certain “advantage of being a poor church,” saying “poverty helps you not to get attached to many things.”
