John Vikström
Encyclopedia
John Edvin Vikström, Archbishop
emeritus
of Finland, was born to parents Edvin and Hilma Vikström. In 1957 he married teacher Birgitta Vikström (b. Hellberg) who died in 1994. John Vikström has three children. His brother Erik Vikström and his son Björn Vikström are both his successors as bishop of Porvoo/Borgå.
the Church has carried out many reforms. The Church has been given a new Bible
translation and a new hymn
book, the ordained ministry has been opened to women, church law has been reformed and liturgical reform has been undertaken. The Church of Finland has also been active ecumenically.
Archbishop emeritus John Vikström continues to be a popular speaker in academia and business.
John Vikström has also publicly embraced the idea of a basic income as a solution to social exclusion:
The archbishop has placed the chairmanship of the Church's Social-Ethical Forum as his priority. The forum's aim is to resolve problems in the status of the elderly and poor in Finland.
An acclaimed author of numerous books and papers, his correspondence with Jörn Donner
was voted as Book of the Year in 2002.
Awards and prizes
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
of Finland, was born to parents Edvin and Hilma Vikström. In 1957 he married teacher Birgitta Vikström (b. Hellberg) who died in 1994. John Vikström has three children. His brother Erik Vikström and his son Björn Vikström are both his successors as bishop of Porvoo/Borgå.
Archbishop of Turku and Finland 1982–1998
As the 53rd successor of St. Henry, Vikström's era was far reaching. During his term as the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of FinlandEvangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is the national church of Finland. The church professes the Lutheran branch of Christianity, and is a member of the Porvoo Communion....
the Church has carried out many reforms. The Church has been given a new Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
translation and a new hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
book, the ordained ministry has been opened to women, church law has been reformed and liturgical reform has been undertaken. The Church of Finland has also been active ecumenically.
Archbishop emeritus John Vikström continues to be a popular speaker in academia and business.
John Vikström has also publicly embraced the idea of a basic income as a solution to social exclusion:
- "In this way, even working a little would be possible and would make sense. The system would not push people into idleness and divide citizens into winners and losers as cruelly as is the case now. I look at the question from the point of view of human dignity. A basic income paid to everyone would be less humiliating than the present benefit system can sometimes become. Basic income would send every citizen the following encouraging and motivating message: 'You are important. You are not a burden, but a resource. You are important by being a human being for others. Whatever work you do, in whatever situations, whether or not you are paid to do it, you still contribute to building our society.'"
The archbishop has placed the chairmanship of the Church's Social-Ethical Forum as his priority. The forum's aim is to resolve problems in the status of the elderly and poor in Finland.
An acclaimed author of numerous books and papers, his correspondence with Jörn Donner
Jörn Donner
Jörn Johan Donner is a Finnish writer, film director, actor, producer, politician, member of the Donner family and founder of Finnish Film Archive. He has been associated with several different political parties, and has at different times been a member both of the Finnish parliament and the...
was voted as Book of the Year in 2002.
Theological merits
Studies and career- Helsinki University:
- Bachelor of TheologyTheologyTheology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
1956.
- Bachelor of Theology
- Åbo Akademi:
- Licenciate of Theology 1962
- Doctor of Theology 1966 (subject of doctorate: Religion and Culture)
- Stipendiate of World Council of ChurchesWorld Council of ChurchesThe World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
in TübingenTübingenTübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
1956–1957. - Ordained June 12, 1956
- Ex officio position in Esbo Swedish parish 1957.
- Pastor of Diaconia in Borgå Diocese 1957–1961.
- Assistant of Systematic Theology in Turku UniversityTurku UniversityTurku University may refer to:* Åbo Akademi University* The Royal Academy of Turku* Turku School of Economics* Turku University of Applied Sciences* The University of Turku...
1963–1964, lecturer 1966–1970 in Åbo Akademi. - Associate Professor of Ethics and Philosophy of Religion in Åbo Akademi 1970.
- BishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Borgå Diocese 1970–1982 - Archbishop of Turku and Finland 1982–1998.
Awards and prizes
- Honorary doctor:
- Leningrad Theological Academy 1985
- Budapest Lutheran Theological Academy 1987
- Finlandia UniversityFinlandia UniversityFinlandia University is a university in Hancock, Michigan, United States, and the only private university in the Upper Peninsula. Founded in 1896 as Suomi College, it is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.-History:...
, HancockHancock-Places:In the United States:*Hancock, Iowa*Hancock, Maine*Hancock, Maryland*Hancock, Massachusetts*Hancock, Michigan*Hancock, Minnesota*Hancock, New Hampshire*Hancock , New York**Hancock , New York, in the town of Hancock...
, United States of America 1998 - Åbo Akademi 2002
- University of VaasaUniversity of VaasaThe University of Vaasa is a multidisciplinary, business-oriented university in Vaasa, Finland. The campus of the university is situated by the Gulf of Bothnia adjacent to downtown Vaasa. The university has evolved from a school of economics founded in 1968 to a university consisting of three...
2006
- Hallberg Prize 1967
- Swedish Cultural Fund's Prize 1981
- Decoration of the Grand Cross of German Democratic RepublicGerman Democratic RepublicThe German Democratic Republic , informally called East Germany by West Germany and other countries, was a socialist state established in 1949 in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city...
1989 - Order of the White RoseOrder of the White RoseThe Order of the White Rose of Finland is one of three official orders in Finland, along with the Order of the Cross of Liberty, and the Order of the Lion of Finland. The President of Finland is the Grand Master of all three orders. The orders are administered by boards consisting of a chancellor,...
- Grand Cross 1986 - Cross of Apostle and Evangelist Mark, 1st Class 1989
- Order of the Holy Lamb, Commander 1st Class 1991
- Medal of Jordanian Independence, 1st Class 1993
- Lambeth Cross 1994
- Anders ChydeniusAnders ChydeniusAnders Chydenius was the leading classical liberal of Nordic history. Born in Sotkamo, Ostrobothnia, Sweden and having studied under Pehr Kalm at the Royal Academy of Åbo, Chydenius became a priest, Enlightenment philosopher and member of the Swedish Riksdag of the Estates.The world's first...
Prize 1995 - Swedish Finland's Award, in silver 1996
- Finland's Communal Union Award, in gold 1997
- Friends of Swedish Folk School Award 1998
- Medal of Merit, Defence Forces of Finland, in gold 1998
- Medal of Journalism and Press 1999
- Cross of Maarjamaa 2001
- Cross of St. Henry 2007