Dick Helander

Dick Adolf Viktor Helander (23 June 1896 – 14 August 1978) was a Swedish bishop in Strängnäs diocese between 1952 and 1953 and a professor. He lost his position as a bishop in the aftermath of the Helander case.

Helander was born 23 June 1896 in Nyköping, and graduated from Karolinska college in Örebro in 1915. After studies in Uppsala and Gothenburg Helander took a fil, cand. in philosophy in 1918. Helander officially became a priest on 20 May 1923 in Lunds congregation. In 1931 he became a docent in practical theology at Lund University.

In 1952, Helander was named bishop of Strängnäs. On 22 December 1953, Helander was indicted in connection with fake letters that he had been sent to Strängnäs congregation saying that Helander should be chosen as the next bishop. He was prosecuted and sentenced against his own denials for defamation. He was expelled from his bishop position. The sentence was appealed. In 1954 the sentence was upheld by Svea Court of Appeal and other appeals were not brought up. The affair was known by the name Helandermålet (meaning The Helander case).

Helander later wrote several books proclaiming his innocence about writing the letters. In 2002 new tests on the saliva from the letters proved that Helander had not posted the letters of recommendation personally.

Helander died on 14 August 1978 when he was hit by a tram in Gothenburg. He was buried at the Mariachurch on 30 August 1978.