FINLAND

FINLAND*
Roman Catholicism was introduced in Finland in the 12th century and a hierarchy was
established in the course of the 13th. 
After the introduction of Lutheranism, in 1523, Catholicism was forbidden and by
the end of the 16th century it had ceased to exist.
A new Roman Catholic community was established at the end of the 18th century when
Polish soldiers, enrolled in the Russian army, were based in Finland.
This community slowly grew and in the course of the 19th century it was organized
into two parishes (Helsinki and Vyborg) dependent of the Russian Archdiocese of
Mohilev. (1)
In 1920, after Finland had become an independent state, it also became a separate
Apostolic Vicariate.

(1) Originally it had been under the care of the military chaplain of the
    Polish troops. 

Vicars Apostolic

1921 - 1933   Michael Buckx, Titular Bishop of Doliche
              in Siria Eufratense I (1923)                   1... - 1945
1934 - 1955   Wilhelm Cobben, Titular Bishop of Amathus 
              in Palestina I, continued as Bishop of 
              Helsinki until 1967                            1897 - 1985


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