Security guards deployed for rainbow mass at Akaa church

Akaa’s Lutheran congregation has hired security guards for a rainbow mass held today at Akaa church as part of the Akaa Pride event, Yle reports.

The congregation’s administrative chaplain, Kaisa Karema, confirmed the measure, stating that security services are part of standard preparedness, akin to first-aid provisions. Karema, who is attending the mass, said the decision followed an assessment by the parish, with acting vicar Leena Sorsa involved in the planning.

Majka Nurminen, chair of Akaa Pride and a city councillor, said the congregation had received hundreds of hostile messages over the Pride event and its cooperation with the church. Some messages claimed the Evangelical Lutheran Church would be “destroyed and defiled” because of the collaboration.

This is the first rainbow mass at Akaa church. A similar event in 2023 was cancelled after persistent opposition and a failed appeal process in the church council. Security was last deployed at the church in May during the wedding of a same-sex couple, following an incident where a young man was removed for disruptive behaviour.