The Church collected stories written by victims of the recession, about 300 in total. The letters were read aloud in Helsinki churches during Passion Week. Time and time again they referred to constant anxiety, illness and thoughts of suicide. People with huge debts have twice as many mental health problems and suicidal thoughts as compared with the ordinary population. Differences have only become more pronounced as Finland has begun to come out of the recession.
Many debtors are bitter at the banks, because they granted loans too easily.
The goal of the Church is to exercise influence so that during 2000 the government and Parliament might take clear decisions on releasing people oppressed by debt from debt bondage.