Transsexual pastor to resign

    * From correspondents in Helsinki
    * From: AFP
    * March 17, 2010 4:26AM

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/transsexual-pastor-to-resign/story-e6frfku0-1225841634920

A TRANSSEXUAL Finnish pastor, who returned to work four months ago following a sex-change operation, has decided to resign, Finnish media reported today.

Marja-Sisko Aalto, formerly known as Olli Aalto, said she felt she had not "managed to build a sufficient connection and the confidence needed" to carry out the demanding position successfully, the newspaper Etelae-Saimaa wrote on its website.

Ms Aalto is Finland's first publicly transgender pastor.

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Trans-Gender Minister Resigns in Imatra
published yesterday 10:58 AM, updated yesterday 11:01 AM

http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/trans-gender_minister_resigns_in_imatra_1532936.html

A Lutheran minister who underwent sexual re-assignment surgery has resigned from her post. Marja-Sisko Aalto serves as a church rector in Imatra, but says that she can no longer continue to minister to the congregation.

Aalto says she made the decision because she has been unable to build enough confidence within the congregation. Without this confidence, she says, she cannot successfully carry out her responsibilities.