The Liberal Catholic Church (LCC) is a totally independent church founded in Great Britain in 1916; it is now established in more than 40 countries.It is "Catholic" in that its Holy Orders derive from the Roman Catholic Church via the Old Catholic Church of Holland. Its services are deeply sacramental, employing a liturgy that owes much to the gift for language of its founding bishops. The LCC is "liberal" in insisting on total freedom of belief and interpretation for its members. Its liberality is also shown in the welcome to Holy Communion extended to all who approach reverently. It is also characterized by a doctrine that is distinctly eastern, or neo-platonic. The underlying divinity and ultimate perfectibility of humankind are emphasized, with practical help offered for the journey.

The LCC in Finland then and now

Regular work is going on in Helsinki, Turku and Jyväskylä. A kind of a highlight of the year is a three-day-retreat in summer at the Kreivilä Manor in the beautiful surroundings of Matku and under the wings of the Angel of Matku.

At present the LCC Province of Finland has two bishops, four priests, one deacon, six deaconesses and several servers, many of them members of the Order of Our Lady. We all bid You very welcome to attend to our ceremonies.

The history of The LCC began in the city of Helsinki in February 1927 with the ordination of Mr. Artturi Vesenterä, M.A., which was performed by Bishop J. I. Wedgwood.

Since then the Rev. Vesenterä was the leader and head of the Church until 1949. He translated The Science of The Sacraments by Bishop C. W. Leadbeater into Finnish and has done the greatest work in laying the cornerstone of the church in Finland.

The Rev. Dr. John Sonck accomplished a most important work in publishing The Liberal Catholic liturgy in Finnish authorised in 1930.

Dr. Harald Olander was consecrated to the Episcopate in 1957 in Helsinki. He founded a publishing house in Finland for LCC literature and the LCC magazine which he kept publishing until his death in 1971. The clergy was trained in several short summer school-like training and study courses by Dr. Olander.

Later Bishop Harald was succeeded by his Vicar General, the Very Reverend Aumo Artamaa who was consecrated by Bishop Sten von Krusenstierna, this took place on August 6, 1977 during an international summer school in Helsinki. Mr. Artamaa served as regionary bishop from 1982, when the Diocese was accorded the status of a Province, till 1991 then succeeded by Bishop Göran Bärlund.

Göran Bärlund was consecrated on May 19, 1991 in the city of Norrköping in Sweden together with Sten-Bertil Jakobson, Sweden.

Gunnar Lindberg was consecrated to the Episcopate on April 3, 2005 at Jyväskylä, Finland, as auxiliary bishop for the Province.