Statement of Bishop Raimo Goyarrola on the illicit episcopal consecrations
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The recent episcopal consecrations carried out by the Society of Saint Pius X without a pontifical mandate have caused a serious wound to the communion of the Church. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has set forth the canonical consequences of these consecrations and has urged the faithful to remain in communion with the Bishop of Rome and with the bishops who are in communion with him.
The Society of Saint Pius X also has a limited presence in Finland. I sincerely hope that this painful series of events may lead those faithful who have participated in the Society’s Masses or other activities to find their way back to full communion with the Church, since the Church urges the faithful to refrain from participating in the Society’s activities. The Diocese stands ready to welcome everyone who sincerely seeks this communion.
At the same time, I wish to address a special word to those Catholics for whom the older form of the liturgy holds an important place in their spiritual life. At St. Mary’s Church in Helsinki, Mass according to the 1962 Missal is celebrated every month. Many of the faithful participate in this Mass, drawing strength from the older form of the liturgy for their spiritual lives, and I rejoice in their sincere faith and Christian witness.
I wish to emphasize that an attachment to the older form of the liturgy does not mean separation from the Church. For many of the faithful, it is a genuine path to prayer, a deeper faith, and an encounter with Christ within the communion of the Church. Therefore, I encourage everyone to remain firmly united with the Holy Father, our beloved Diocese, and the whole Church.
I now ask all Catholics in Finland to pray for the unity of the Church. Let us always pray for the Holy Father, and especially at this time for all those who have become separated from the Church’s full communion, that they may return to it in a spirit of openness, trust, and fraternity.
7 July 2026
+ Raimo Goyarrola
Bishop of Helsinki