Background
Askola first became involved with the Church as a child after the early death of her father.
Askola first became involved with the Church as a child after the early death of her father.
She graduated as Master of Theology in 1975, and was ordained as a priest in 1988.
Her home parish is Alppila. She then worked as the Special Assistant in Theological Affairs for Bishop Mikko Heikka. She was elected Bishop of Helsinki in June 2010 as successor to Eero Huovinen.
She was chosen on the second round of the election with 591 votes.
Askola was consecrated as Bishop on 12 September 2010 by the Archbishop of Turku, Kari Mäkinen. He was assisted by other bishops from Finland (Matti Repo and Mikko Heikka from the Diocese of Espoo).
Norway (Olav Skjevesland). Denmark (Elisabeth Dons Christensen) and Namibia (Thomas Shivute).
Her consecration was attended by other women who are bishops — from Sweden, Germany and Denmark, and David Hamid, the Anglican Suffragan Bishop in Europe.
Several Finnish public figures were also present, including President Tarja Halonen and Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi.
Askola is considered as a liberal. Foreign example she supports same-sex marriage. She also said she wants to welcome more same-sex couples for Church blessings, but that no pastors would be compelled to do so In an interview given to YLE, Askola said she would practice "a dialogue with society", and that the Church must address such issues as current social inequalities and racial intolerance.