Tallinn (Estonia): The foreign ministry of Estonia hosts an exhibition on the life of Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, with the nation’s Ambassador to the Holy See saying the martyred Jesuit missionary continues to offer a message of peace and faith. This exibition is organising as part of the 31st anniversary celebrations of European country Estonia since its independence from the Soviet Union.
Servant of God Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, SJ was the first resident Catholic bishop in Estonia since the 1600s. The German-born Jesuit served as Apostolic Administrator of Estonia for just over 10 years. He was arrested by Soviet authorities, held in a Siberian gulag, and sentenced to death. He died from exposure on 22 February 1942 before the sentence could be carried out. His cause for beatification is currently working its way through the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints
“Today we all witness Russia's brutal aggression in the heart of Europe. I think [Archbishop Profittlich’s] speeches give us strength to carry on and teach us how to use the faith to remain strong during this incredibly difficult and depressing time.”
Celia Kuningas-Saagpakk, Estonia’s Ambassador to the Holy See, drew that parallel between the current war in Ukraine and the Catholic bishop who was martyred in Soviet Russia in 1942.
Speaking to Vatican News, Ms. Kuningas-Saagpakk said Archbishop Profittlich constantly preached peace during his lifetime, despite the threat to his life during the Soviet occupation of Estonia.
On Saturday, Estonia celebrated the 31st anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union, which was declared on 20 August 1991.
Now, as the world witnesses Russia’s invasion of its other neighbor, Europe once again “sees acts against humanity, desperation, loss of life, and the suffering of millions of people in Ukraine,” she said.
At the same time, Archbishop Profittlich’s message of faith and peace is “exactly what we all need now,” noted Ms. Kuningas-Saagpakk, adding that she is glad the Catholic Church in Estonia continues to promote his teachings.
-VN