Convicted pastor loses priestly office after leaving church

A pastor from Satakunta convicted of sexual offences against children has lost his right to serve as a priest after resigning from the church, Yle reports.

Matleena Lahtinen, legal assessor for the Turku Archdiocese, said the pastor resigned his church membership at the end of June. The chapter of the Turku Archdiocese stated on Wednesday that he had therefore lost his right to hold priestly office.

“The matter did not need to be handled separately. In a way, it resolved itself,” Lahtinen said.

His employment relationship with his congregation also ended automatically after he submitted his resignation, without a separate dismissal process, according to Lahtinen.

Conviction remains in force

Records from the Vaasa Court of Appeal and the Satakunta District Court indicate that the pastor has not appealed his conviction.

The Satakunta District Court sentenced him in late June to one year and two months in suspended imprisonment. The court found that he had committed three cases of sexual interference with a child and three breaches of official duty in 2023.

As part of his official duties, he had logged into Snapchat and exchanged daily messages with victims who belonged to his congregation. At least weekly, he sent them sexually suggestive messages and commented on their bodies and breasts using words and emoji stickers.

He also sent the victims photographs of himself appearing bare-chested.

The pastor was suspended from his office this spring after prosecutors brought charges in the case.