The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

12 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 “In the Finns’ minds and, to a certain extent, also functionally, the church has been a public administration body for a long time” (354). This includes, as Pessi and Grönlund noted, the ability of the church to serve prisoners. The researchers described the traits of a national church as “having a close relationship to the national culture, and having chaplaincy in national institutions (such as hospitals and penal institutions)” (356). If Father Jacob was a minister within the Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Finnish Orthodox Church he may have had the influence to free Leila. Yet as a Catholic priest, writing letters to a prison would not have convinced officers of the law to reconsider Leila’s sentence. Father Jacob, as a Catholic priest, could not successfully pressure the prison system into releasing Leila into his care because he is not affiliated with a state church. The Catholic Church of Finland has always struggled to overcome the barriers that distance the Finnish people. Social conditions, whether national pride or religious disinterest, continue to alienate the Finnish people. The government favor other churches receive has prevented Catholicism from drawing serious interest. Letters to Father Jacob’s picture of a Catholic church, appreciated, but alone and struggling to exist, properly reflects the church’s favorable, but removed relationship with Finnish culture; however, the film inaccurately implies that the Catholic Church can influence government administration. Though they see Catholicism favorably, Finns also see the Catholic Church as weak and antiquated, similar to how Father Jacob is deeply revered, yet needs much assistance. Works Cited Aho, Gerhard. “Evangelical Lutheran Church Of Finland : A Brief Survey Of Its History, Organization And Doctrinal Complexion.” Springfielder 28.2 (1964): 7-17. ATLASerials, Religion Collection. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. Birgitta Pessi, Anne Grönlund, Henrietta. “The Place Of The Church: Public Sector Or Civil Society? Welfare Provision Of The Evangelical Lutheran Church Of Finland.” Journal Of Church & State 54.3 (2012): 353-374. Religion and Philosophy Collection. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. Cheney, David. “Diocese of Helsinki.” Helsinki (Diocese) [Catholic- Hierarchy]. David M. Cheney, 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 20 Nov.