The first female pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland were ordained on March 6, 1988. The decision to open priesthood to women was made at the General Synod two years earlier. The vote to open priesthood to women had been held three times previously at the synod, but the required three-quarter majority was only achieved in 1986.
Since then, the proportion of women in the clergy has steadily increased. In the 2000s, the majority of those ordained as pastors have been women. In 2023, slightly more than half of the pastors in office were women. However, there are fewer women in church leadership positions; less than a third of parish rectors are women.
From the front left: Mari Parkkinen, Mari Leppänen and Kaisamari Hintikka.
Currently four out of nine bishops are female. The previous bishop of Helsinki, Irja Askola, was elected as the first female bishop in 2010. She served in her position until her retirement in 2017. Kaisamari Hintikka became the bishop of the Diocese of Espoo in February 2019, Mari Leppänen became the bishop of the Archdiocese of Turku in February 2021, and Mari Parkkinen started as the bishop of the Diocese of Mikkeli in September 2023.
When priesthood was opened to women, a resolution was also passed at the General Synod allowing those who oppose the ordination of women to still be ordained and serve in church positions. For example, some revival movements still do not invite female pastors to speak or conduct services at their events.
In 2006, the Bishops’ Meeting decided that the conviction of a person rejecting female pastors should not be reflected in their work duties, and that work shifts should not be arranged based on gender.
Opponents of female priests are a small minority in the church. According to studies conducted in 2015, 5% of church members and employees oppose women serving as priests. Among parish council members, the proportion is slightly higher, around 9%.
The term ‘female priesthood’ or ‘female pastor’ is somewhat misleading, as it implies a gender-specific office. However, it is one common office that has also been opened to women. Often, better expressions can be found to describe that the priesthood can be served regardless of gender.