Bishop of Helsinki asks Spanish Catholics to help build churches in Finland

The Catholic Church in Finland has outgrown its buildings. Raimo Goyarrola, the Spanish-born bishop of the Diocese of Helsinki, which covers the entire country, described the situation in remarks to Iglesia Noticias, Church Gazette's Spanish-language sister publication: "We don't fit in the churches. People are standing, people are outside." He has asked Catholics in Spain to help build new churches.

The problem is the same in cities across the country. "I need more churches in quite a few cities. And I ask for prayers and I ask for help," Goyarrola said. He described the Catholic community, a small minority in Finland, as "a tiny Church, very poor, but very much alive," and said it is in "exponential growth."

To respond to that growth, the diocese has launched an international campaign to obtain new premises and churches. The bishop based his appeal on the nature of the faith itself: "We are Catholics, the Church is universal."

Baptisms, conversions and new Catholics in Finland

Growing attendance at services is only one of the signs. Goyarrola pointed to baptisms, adult conversions and the arrival of immigrants and refugees as concrete signs of the Catholic Church's vitality in Finland. He said he was "absolutely delighted with this impressive growth of the Church," and linked it to the task of proclaiming the Gospel. What matters most, he said, is living the faith and proclaiming it to the people around each Christian: "That is the key, having Jesus in our heart, in our mind."

"This Church at the end of the world, in Finland, is growing by the grace of God and with our joy, because we are extremely happy here," he said.

One diocese for all of Finland and eight churches for its faithful

The diocese's structure explains much of the urgency. Finland has a single diocese, the Diocese of Helsinki, erected in 1955, covering the whole country. According to a video posted on the diocese's official channel, pastoral care is provided through eight churches spread across the territory, serving communities scattered over different regions.

Diocesan figures show the scale of the problem. In more than 25 Finnish cities, Catholic Mass is celebrated only once a month, and in other towns less often than that. Priests travel constantly to bring the Eucharist and pastoral care to the faithful.

The diocese works with Orthodox and Lutheran communities, which make space available for Catholic services. That does not solve the shortage. It is felt most sharply in the Helsinki metropolitan area, home to a large share of the population and of the Catholic community, where the two churches are finding it harder to meet the faithful's sacramental needs.

Beyond worship: welcome and community support

Goyarrola said the campaign is not only about buildings for Mass and the sacraments. The new spaces would also serve a broader purpose of welcome, in a country that receives immigrants and refugees, many of whom already belong to Catholic communities.

"There are many wars, much violence," he said. "I need places, not only for worship, Masses, the sacraments, preaching the word of God, but also [...] to give shelter to all those in need."

He described what those spaces would be for: somewhere the faithful and people going through hard times can talk and share their joys, worries, sorrows, hopes and dreams. He summed up the diocese's need in one request: "I need four walls with a roof."

An international campaign of Catholic solidarity

The Diocese of Helsinki has taken its needs to Catholics in other countries through a fundraising campaign for new premises. In its official video, the diocese says it has looked at various ways of building or buying churches but does not have the resources to carry out those projects on its own.

The campaign accepts donations of any amount and plans to keep donors informed about progress and about any new spaces built or purchased. It is aimed both at the large urban centers and at smaller communities, where Catholics depend on visiting priests to receive the sacraments.

Goyarrola again appealed to solidarity among Catholics in different countries, recalling the universal character of the Church.

A visit to Madrid: book launch and discussion on Finland

The bishop will travel to Madrid next week. "That is why I am going to Madrid now, next week. And I need help," Goyarrola said, adding that he hoped "that from Madrid, Spain, you will find this help for the Church at the end of the world."

On Friday, November 13, he will take part in two public events. At 6 p.m. he will present his new book, Cartas desde el cielo. Un rosario escrito por los ángeles (Letters from Heaven: A Rosary Written by the Angels), published by Palabra, at NEBLI-TROA, Calle Serrano 80.

At 8 p.m. Goyarrola will join a discussion at the church of San Antonio de los Alemanes, Calle de la Puebla 22. Under the title "What is the situation of the Church in Finland?", he will talk about the diocese's pastoral challenges as the number of faithful grows and space runs short. A reception is scheduled for 8:45 p.m.

"And I ask for prayers and I ask for help," the bishop repeated, closing with thanks for Catholics' solidarity and sending his "hugs and blessings."