Bishops' Meeting to convene in Vaasa this September

The Bishops' Meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland will convene in Vaasa on September 1–2, 2026. Hosted by Bishop Matti Salomäki, the gathering includes Archbishop Tapio Luoma and Bishop Bo-Göran Åstrand.

Key agenda items include the approval of grants for international ecumenical organizations and projects, such as supporting the Faith and Order Commission meeting for the Church of Sweden and the Finnish Southern Africa Cooperation Institute (FSAI). The bishops will also discuss a report on clerical education and develop plans to support theology students and priests at the beginning of their careers.

The meeting also addresses organizational changes following a Church Council restructuring project and refinements to the meeting's rules of procedure. Additionally, Anna-Kaisa Inkala will officially begin her term as the new Secretary General on September 1, succeeding the retiring Kari Kopperi.