In spring 2025, journalist Henrik Helenius of Finland’s Swedish-language social democratic daily Arbetarbladet interviewed our collaborator Jan-Peter Paul. The full interview in Swedish is available on the Fides website. Below is an AI-generated summary in English.
Jan-Peter Paul, a well-known Catholic layperson in Finland, discusses in an interview with Arbetarbladet the historical and current role of the Catholic Church in promoting social justice. He recalls that even in early Christianity, the Church stood with the poor, and this role continued especially during the social upheavals of the 19th century. Today, Paul sees a renewed need for the Church’s social witness in Finland, especially in light of recent cuts in welfare and increasing inequality.
Paul highlights how, throughout history, God often chooses the humble and poor to carry out His saving work. He refers to Mary and Joseph—simple and uneducated—as examples of how greatness before God is not based on worldly status. At the heart of the Church’s mission, he emphasizes, is the dignity of the human person, which should shape both economic and social policy.
While the official number of Catholics in Finland is approximately 17,000, Paul estimates the true number may be closer to 50,000. He notes that the majority are immigrants, with only a small minority (less than two percent) being Swedish-speaking Finns.
The death of Pope Francis has brought Catholics into the public eye. Paul holds the late pope in high regard, praising his consistency in living out the Gospel through his concern for the poor. He also notes that Francis chose his papal name after St Francis of Assisi, a saint known for his life of simplicity and solidarity with the suffering.
Paul points out the pope’s engagement with global social and environmental issues, particularly efforts to support indigenous peoples in Latin America. He stresses that natural resources should serve the common good. In this context, Paul expresses reservations about some political leaders’ approaches—citing, for instance, Donald Trump’s policies, which he sees as not always aligned with Catholic social principles.
He also speaks in favor of organized labor and the right of workers to unionize and strike when necessary. These rights, Paul argues, stem from the inherent dignity of the human person and reflect the Church’s long-standing tradition of supporting just labor relations.
Paul characterizes the present moment as a time of paradigm shift, in which old models are being questioned and new structures are emerging. He anticipates a rising influence for countries like China and India, and he believes the European Union needs stronger leadership to respond to geopolitical challenges.
In conclusion, Paul advocates for dialogue and cooperation across religious and political lines. As an encouraging sign, he highlights Pope Francis’ appointment of Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of Helsinki as the Catholic co-chair in the Lutheran–Catholic Unity Commission, which Paul sees as a significant recognition of the Catholic Church in Finland.
KATT (Henrik Helenius / Arbetarbladet)