“It is fitting that a shepherd remains with his flock and shares their joys and sorrows.” These lines were written by Archbishop Eduard Profittlich on February 8, 1941, in Tallinn to his family in Germany, with Estonia’s annexation by the Soviet Union in mind. Soon after, the Soviet secret service arrested Profittlich, who was from Birresdorf, and sentenced him to death. On February 22, 1942, he died at the age of 51 in Kirov prison before the sentence could be carried out. The letter only reached his relatives in Germany years later. The letter further states that the Archbishop initially struggled with the decision to stay in Tallinn but then accepted it with great joy, despite the foreseeable danger: “I know that God is with me. My life, and if it should be, then also my death, will be life and death in Christ. And that is so very beautiful.”
On Thursday, June 13, 2024 a conference dedicated to Archbishop Eduard Profittlich took place in the main hall of the library of the Trier seminary, where Profittlich had studied before joining the Societas Jesu (Society of Jesus, the Jesuit order) in 1913. The conference was organized by the Diocese of Trier in conjunction with the Apostolic Administration of Estonia.
Father Tomasz Materna delivered a presentation on Profittlich’s life and work in German; in the subsequent discussion, which involved Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier, Dr. Marge-Marie Paas from Tallinn, Dr. Hans-Joachim Cristea (Head of the Trier seminary library), and Dr. Thorsten Hoffmann (Diocese of Trier), and was moderated by Judith Rupp (diocesan press spokesperson), the meaning of martyrdom and the significance of Archbishop Profittlich’s beatification for the Church, which is expected to take place in the near future, were addressed.
Following the conference, an exhibition dedicated to Archbishop Eduard Profittlich was also opened in the diocese, which will remain open until autumn. At the end of the conference, a film (in German) produced for the 100th anniversary of the Apostolic Administration of Estonia was screened.
On Sunday, June 16, 2024 Holy Mass took place in Leimersdorf, where many of Profittlich’s relatives were also present. Eduard Profittlich’s life and martyrdom are in their hearts and they wish to visit Estonia soon, where Profittlich lived and worked. After the Mass, together with the Leimersdorf parish community, a pilgrimage was made to Profittlich’s birthplace, Birresdorf.
The trip was supported by Bonifatiuswerk from Germany, whose representative was present in Trier and gave recognition to the small Catholic community in Estonia, who has preserved Profittlich’s legacy so well and is preparing for his beatification.
Photo: Diocese of Trier.
28.06.2024