Finnish archbishop warns of growing MAGA-style right-wing Christianity

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - The leader of Finland’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Archbishop Tapio Luoma, voiced concern over the growing right-wing Christianity across the country inspired by US President Donald Trump's MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, broadcaster Yle reported Saturday.

"There are many worrying aspects to this. Christian nationalism in particular is frightening if you want it to become the mainstream form of Christian faith," Luoma told Yle in an interview.

He noted that echoes of Trumpism can be observed on controversial issues, underlining that "Trump's use of language and the Christian faith appeals to many people."

Luoma warned that Trump’s instrumentalization of religion for political ends could be mirrored in Finland, adding that the notion of mobilizing an entire society around Christian faith feels alien to him.

"It’s easy to mock and ridicule whatever seems foreign and strange. And I think that any kind of racism is definitely wrong and a sin," he said, commenting on the recent uproar over racist social media posts by politicians from the Finns' Party.