Basic information on the Diocese of Tampere

The Diocese of Tampere is the largest and second oldest of the nine Lutheran dioceses in Finland. Its vast territory is divided into 56 parishes, which differ a great deal in size. The total population in this area is about 660,000 people.

The multiphase history of the Diocese goes back over 450 years. It was founded in 1554, when King Gustav Vasa divided the diocese of Turku, extending over the whole country, into two parts. First, the second diocese was established in Viipuri, the first bishop being Paavali Juusteen nominated by the King. After Russia occupied Viipuri in 1723, the bishop’s seat was transferred to Porvoo. But in 1923 a new diocese was established for the Swedish speaking population of the country with the bishop’s seat in Porvoo. That’s when the second Finnish bishop’s seat was relocated in Tampere and the diocese was renamed after this city.

Matti Repo, the 36th Bishop

From the first of June 2008 Matti Repo is the Bishop of the Diocese of Tampere. He is the seventh bishop for this diocese and the 36th bishop since the beginning of the second diocese in Finland. Since 1937 the bishops have resided in the Bishop’s House on the picturesque ridges of Pyynikki. The house was designed by Architect Gunnar Wahlroos for the special purpose of serving as the residence for the bishop. Downstairs, there are spacious reception areas, a bishop’s study, and a chapel. Upstairs, there is the bishop’s private residence. The building is considered as one of the most beautiful functionalism style buildings in Finland. Many ecclesiastical meetings and events take place in the Bishop’s House every year.

Ecclesiastical Administration and Parish Services

A diocese is an ecclesiastical administrative district, which is lead by a bishop, a chapter and a diocesan counsil, chaired by a lay person and meeting three times a year. The bishop is the chairman of the chapter. He is also a member of the church synod and the bishops’ conference.

The chapter has seven members: the bishop, the dean of the cathedral, the canon responsible for legal matters and two canons responsible for theology, the diocesan dean and a lay representative.

The Diocese office has two departments: administration and parish services. The department for parish services provides different services and support to local parishes in their functions through the expert knowledge of the diocesan dean and four associate secretaries: for education, for global mission, for pastoral counseling and for diaconia, and a diocesan director of music.

The Diocese of Tampere is divided into nine deaneries, each of which is divided into 3-10 parishes. The deanery is lead by a district dean who is always a vicar of one of the parishes in the area.