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Björn Vikström

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The Right Reverend

Björn Vikström
Bishop of Borgå
ChurchEvangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
DioceseBorgå
Elected2009
In office2009–2019
PredecessorGustav Björkstrand
SuccessorBo-Göran Åstrand
Orders
Ordination1988
Consecration29 November 2009
by Jukka Paarma
Personal details
Born (1963-07-17) 17 July 1963 (age 61)
NationalityFinnish
Alma materÅbo Akademi University

Björn Håkan Vikström (born 17 July 1963) is a Finnish prelate who served as Bishop of Borgå between 2009 and 2019.

Biography

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Vikström was born on 17 July 1963 in Turku, Finland. He was ordained a priest in 1988, after which he has served as a pastor in Hanko and in the Matteus Church of Helsinki, as well as a chaplain for 15 years in the parish of Kimito and Västanfjärd. He acquired his doctorate in theology in 2000 from Åbo Akademi University.

Bishop

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The election for the new Bishop of Borgå was characterized as a competition between the Conservatives and the Liberals, where the Liberals were clearly victorious. Vikström's liberal Bible-mindedness was an old problem, and the discussion particularly concerned his acceptance of homosexual persons. Vikström's positive stance towards homosexuality raised resistance especially in the Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia, where, according to one view, "many do not experience Vikström as a spiritual leader." Nonetheless, he won the 2009 bishop's election in the second round against Sixten Ekstrand in 250-199 votes. Vikström was ordained a bishop on 29 November 2009.[1] He is the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Porvoo. Vikström was nominated for Archbishop of Turku in 2018, but lost to Tapio Luoma.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Björn Vikström vihittiin Porvoon piispaksi", Yle, 29 November 2009. Retrieved on 26 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Tapio Luoma on seuraava arkkipiispa", Yle, 1 March 2018. Retrieved on 26 August 2018.