In the midst of recriminations and acrimony, and with defections now numbering more than 22,000, the Evangelical Lutheran Church has not collapsed, but it is concerned about the exodus.

“During an economic downturn, people leave the church for economic reasons, to avoid having to pay parish taxes. However, these departures are for moral reasons. People also left the church over the ordination of female ministers, but not on this scale,” said Kimmo Ketola, a researcher with the Church Research Institute.

Policies Discussed

According to Björn Vikström, the Bishop of Porvoo, there is so much confusion among members of the church that the religious leadership would do well to take a clear and public position on the matter, preferably before its general synod in November. Vikström says the matter has been discussed.

In religious circles there is now regret that individual opinions and the position of the church have been conflated in public discourse. Four clerics interviewed by YLE said that they didn’t recognise the position of their own church during the discussion programme.

“In my opinion matters have been confused to the point where some party’s MP has been interpreted to be the voice of the church. In reality, the church has a much more diverse, warmer and more tolerant voice towards sexual minorities also,” explained Wille Riekkinen, Bishop of Kuopio.

Church Finances May Suffer

Compared to its total lay membership, 22,000 departures is not a lot, but before long the exodus may harm the church financially.

“It depends on many factors, for example, to which income bracket the defectors belong, but of course it means something. Each disaffected person takes with him or her some part of tax income for the church,” Ketola added.

Meanwhile church leaders have found themselves in what could be a no-win predicament. Regardless of the position they take, someone will take offense. Seppo Häkkinen, Bishop of Mikkeli, would like to see restraint on both sides of the fence.

“I hope that the different parties, who think in very different ways, could part of the same community and I’d remind them of the wise words of the Pope, when he said: You should strive to outdo each other in showing respect for the other,”

Hakkinen said that the decision to leave the church doesn’t come easily, although following through has become much easier in the Internet age.

“However I hope that some of those who have left the church can see the work of the church in a wider view rather than through the prism of this one issue,” he added.

Related story: Church Resignations Now Exceed 20,000