Pastor sentenced for child sexual abuse

A pastor in the Satakunta region has been given a suspended prison sentence of one year and two months for multiple child sexual offences, reports Yle.

The Satakunta District Court found the man, aged around 40, guilty of three counts of sexual violation of a child and three counts of breach of official duty in 2023. As part of his duties, he had registered on Snapchat and communicated daily with victims from his congregation.

He sent sexually suggestive messages to the victims at least weekly, commented on their bodies and breasts using words and emoji stickers, and also sent them images of himself with his upper body exposed.

The court ruled that the acts were sexually significant and capable of harming the victims’ development.

The pastor was removed from youth work immediately after the allegations surfaced in autumn 2023, and was suspended from his post this spring. The congregation reported the case to police at the time.

He has been ordered to pay a total of €7,000 in compensation to the victims.