The Archdiocese of Turku, Finland, elects a woman bishop
At the beginning of December 2020, episcopal elections were held in the Archdiocese of Turku (Finland). Pastor Mari Leppänen received 54.6% of all the votes cast, thereby becoming the bishop of the Archdiocese of Turku.
Mari Leppänen was born in 1978 and was ordained to the office of pastor in 2012. Since 2019 she has been a dean in the Archdiocese of Turku. Previously she has served as an advisor to the bishop, as a project manager in parish elections to the parish council, and has also worked as a pastor in the Lundo congregation.
The new bishop will take office on 1 February 2021, and on 7 February the consecration of Mari Leppänen as bishop will take place in Turku (Åbo) Cathedral.
The current bishop, Kaarlo Kalliala, will retire on 31 January this year.
Source: The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
Photo: The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland