The Archbishops of Finland's Evangelical Lutheran and Orthodox churches have expressed concern over the government's planned financial cutbacks, warning they will disproportionately affect the country's most vulnerable.
In a joint Easter message, Archbishop Tapio Luoma and Archbishop Elia highlighted the rapid rise in child poverty as particularly alarming. They emphasised that economic hardship makes parenting more difficult and limits families' ability to make choices that support children's wellbeing.
The archbishops said that growing hopelessness is also reflected in the declining mental health of young people. According to them, as many as one in five Finnish youths suffer from symptoms of depression, and trust in both fellow citizens and public institutions is eroding.
"What does it say about the values of our society when our decisions create conditions for poverty, insecure homes and disadvantages to be passed on from one generation to the next?" the archbishops asked.
They urged everyone — individuals, churches and society as a whole — to consider how they can help combat despair and support those in need.
"Every person must be seen and acknowledged," they stressed.
