An interview with Bishop Raimo.
The January feast of St Henry and the related ecumenical celebrations in Rome have become an established part of promoting Christian unity—ecumenism—in Finland. This year again, bishops from three Churches travelled to Rome: Orthodox Archbishop Elia, Lutheran Archbishop Tapio Luoma, and Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of Helsinki.
Finland is sometimes described as a model country for ecumenism. Bishop Raimo does not deny this. He sees Finland’s position as both exceptional and demanding: “This was the first time that the new Pope Leo received our delegation. There was great interest, and his address was significant. He referred specifically to Finland as an example of ecumenism for the whole world. It is a great gift, but also a great responsibility for us.”
The Bishop emphasizes that this is not merely about a single event or a formal reception. “In Rome, we representatives of different Churches experience something that carries far. And that experience, that atmosphere, does not remain limited to that moment—it shapes the way we encounter one another in everyday life in Finland. A real bond is formed there, and it continues.”
Friendship is the strength of ecumenism
When describing the significance of the visits to Rome, the Bishop returns again and again to one theme: friendship. “The first fruit is always friendship. Through it, trust is born, and through trust, the possibility arises to speak openly and to cooperate. When we meet again, we are no longer strangers—we are friends.”
He stresses that this is not merely a personal experience, but something that concerns the whole life of the Church. “It is not just a feeling. In these encounters, a real network is formed that carries us forward. It means that we can share information, speak about our needs, and find solutions together.”
Concrete results can also be seen in practice: “We have been able to explain what the situation of Catholics in Finland is like—for example, that we need more space. And through this, connections have been formed that have helped us in very concrete ways. It is very practical and tangible, even though everything begins from spiritual communion.”
Unity is born of prayer and trust
Last year, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Goyarrola as the Catholic Church’s representative in the theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation. The working group met for the first time in February in Slovenia. Bishop Raimo serves as chairman of the Catholic delegation.
He reflects: “Our meeting was a very beautiful experience. On the first day we did not yet know one another, but already that same evening a strong sense of unity emerged. It felt as though we were one family, even though we come from different countries and continents.”
The work of the group is still at an early stage, but its direction is taking shape. “We have four years of work ahead of us, and the goal is some kind of joint statement by 2030. But not everything has been decided in advance, and that is a good thing. We must remain open and listen to the Holy Spirit.”
The Bishop returns once more to what he considers essential: “I often say that we need two legs. The first is prayer. Without prayer, we do not see what God’s will is. We receive neither strength nor wisdom. The second leg is friendship. Without friendship, there is no trust, and without trust, one cannot speak honestly.”
According to him, ecumenical work does not mean ignoring differences. “We must be honest before God and before history. We cannot simply say that everything is the same. There are real differences, and we must be able to speak about them. But precisely for that reason, friendship is so important. It allows us to move forward step by step.”
Unity is the goal, but the journey continues
Discussions on ecumenism often raise the question why full Eucharistic communion is not yet possible. The Bishop responds calmly: “If all boundaries were removed immediately, ecumenism would in fact cease to exist. We are still on the journey—we have not yet arrived.”
At the same time, the goal is clear: “The goal is visible unity. This means both ecclesial communion and Eucharistic communion. Everyone longs for it. That longing is very strong.” Patience is therefore needed.
“We walk together. Every step forward is important. And sometimes the smallest steps are the most meaningful.”
In the Nordic countries, Finland is an exception
The plenary meeting of the Nordic Bishops’ Conference in Iceland in March reinforced the sense of Finland’s particular position. “In all the Nordic countries, we speak about the same things: pastoral work, the sacraments, teaching. But Finland’s situation is different. We are a large country, but a small Church.”
The growth of the Church is especially noteworthy: “In Finland, the Catholic Church is currently growing the fastest in relative terms. We have many adult baptisms and people entering the Church. I have sometimes called it a ‘spiritual tsunami’. It is a beautiful problem.”
Growth also brings challenges: “Our churches are full. Sometimes people cannot get in. I have heard that some stay away from Mass because there is no space. This is a real challenge. We need more churches and more room.”
In terms of ecumenism, differences between the Nordic countries are clear: “We often speak of the Nordic countries as a single entity, but in reality Finland is an exception. Here ecumenism works well. In other countries, there is a greater desire for theological dialogue.”
The Bishop smiles slightly: “Perhaps there is also a little healthy envy. But it reminds us that this is a gift given to us—and a gift must be well cared for.”
The Finnish Ecumenical Council – even more is possible
The Finnish Ecumenical Council is a key forum for cooperation between Churches in Finland. Bishop Raimo serves as Vice-Chair of its board. He sees much that is positive, but also room for growth. “We often focus on common statements, for example on social or ethical issues. That is important, but it is not everything.”
He hopes that cooperation could also become more visibly spiritual: “I would hope that we could proclaim the Gospel together to all of Finland—that we could say together that Jesus Christ is the Saviour. That would be a very powerful witness.”
At the same time, the Bishop once again emphasizes the importance of mutual understanding: “We must learn to know one another better—our history, theology, and ways of thinking. Even if we disagree on certain matters, we can understand why the other thinks as they do. That is a richness.”
Finally, the Bishop sums up the essence of ecumenism: “Ecumenism is not only meetings or documents. It is a shared journey. And on this journey, prayer and friendship are essential. Through them, we can move towards the unity that Christ desires for His Church.”
Thank you for the interview, Bishop Raimo.
Marko Tervaportti
• The Pope’s address to the ecumenical delegation in January (Fides).
• The Finnish Ecumenical Council: ekumenia.fi
• Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity: https://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en.html (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.)