In common with other Lutheran and Anglican churches[citation needed] the Archbishop is considered primus inter pares while all diocesan bishops retain their independence within their respective jurisdictions.

Influenced by papal bulls, Swedish magnates in the 12th century set up crusading expeditions to convert the heathens in the eastern Baltic.

This resulted in the establishment of the Catholic Church, the Christian religion and the Swedish conquest of southern Finland in 1249.

The principal ecclesiastical reformer in Finland was Mikael Agricola who from 1554 onward was also the Bishop of the Turku Diocese.

According to the decision of the ELCF General Synod, the area of the primary oversight of the Bishop of Turku Archdiocese consists of 42 parishes, whereas the Archbishop's primary diocesan oversight covers the deanery of Turku which consists of 9 parishes.