“On June 3, 2021, Franklin Graham, the son of the famous evangelist Billy Graham, President of the international charity Samaritan’s Purse, tweeted in support of Päivi Räsänen:

 

“‘Dr. Päivi Räsänen is a mother of 5 & has served in Finland’s Parliament for 7 terms. She’s facing charges & possible imprisonment for sharing her biblical views on marriage & sexuality. I thank God for her willingness to take a stand for truth.’

 

“Professors at Yale, Princeton, Harvard, and other major universities have also spoken up in defense of Dr. Päivi Räsänen. In their opinion which is expressed in an open letter, the actions of Finland’s Prosecutor General contradict international conventions which protect human rights, including freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.

 

“Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, Bishop Elect of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, and Dr. Päivi Räsänen, member of the Parliament of Finland representing the Christian Democrats, are being prosecuted for Dr. Räsänen’s booklet “Male and Female He Created Them: Homosexual Relationships Challenge the Christian Concept of Humanity” published on the website of the Mission Diocese.

 

“I’m calling all ministers and lay members to pray for Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola and Dr. Päivi Räsänen that the Lord may strengthen them and make it possible for them to speak about biblical truths boldly and freely!”

 

In photo:

 

Bishop Elect Juhana Pohjola and Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen in an interview with Studio Krypta (photo credits: website of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese)