Rippiskoulu | The vicar of Merikarvia was now suspended from office because of the ripar events

Bishop Mari Leppänen was arrested on Tuesday by the parish priest of Merikarvia by Tom Broberg temporarily from administration, says the Archdiocese of Turku. Suspension from office is valid for four weeks.

The reason for the suspension from office is the events at the rip camp in Merikarvia. The bishop is most likely suspected of having committed an act contrary to his official duties, the diocese states.

The parish camp in Merikarvia had to be canceled two days earlier than planned.

“I have intervened in inappropriate speeches and the use of intoxicants in the camp of the vicar who was in charge of security and temporarily suspended him from his post. Further measures will be decided later by the session of the judicial chapter”, says Leppänen in the press release.

“I am very sorry for what happened. Rippikoulu is important for young people, and the church’s task is to guarantee its safety,” he continues.

However, the young people who participated in the rip camp will be confirmed as planned.

Diocesan legal assessor Matleena Engblom says that it is about suspected alcohol use and inappropriate language, which had caused the young people confusion and anxiety.

“There has been a remark that has not been relevant. It is said that there was also sexually tinged language, but these are still being investigated. The kind of language that maybe once was a funny joke, but which no longer works,” Engbom describes.

So the diocese is now investigating the events, but it is not a police matter, at least for now. Another adult at the camp had called the police, but in the end the police never came.

According to Engblom, Broberg has no previous warnings in the diocese.

The Judiciary will decide on the continuation of the suspension from office in mid-July, i.e. four weeks from now.