Today, August 8, Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu and Bishop Philippe Jourdan opened an exhibition at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dedicated to the beatification process of Archbishop Eduard Profittlich of the Roman Catholic Church and the centenary of diplomatic relations between Estonia and the Holy See.
Last year marked one hundred years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Estonia and the Holy See. Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu emphasized that we highly value the Holy See’s decision to recognize the Republic of Estonia de facto in 1919 and de jure in 1921. “For Estonia, it is very important and noteworthy that the Holy See never recognized the annexation of Estonia by the Soviet Union in any way. Today, Estonia and the Holy See are united by similar goals and the desire to actively contribute to ensuring global peace and security,” Reinsalu pointed out.
Bishop Philippe Jourdan stated that relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Estonia in our history have not been limited to words alone, but have involved real actions, even during the period of Soviet occupation, and there are several historical testimonies to this.
The exhibition opened today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs focuses on the achievements of Bishop Eduard Profittlich. On May 5, 1931, Profittlich was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Holy See in Estonia and largely helped to rebuild the local Catholic Church. In 1941, the bishop was arrested and deported to Kirov prison, where he died the following year, sharing a similar fate with thousands of repressed Estonians. This year marked 80 years since Profittlich’s death, which was commemorated with the completed exhibition and a memorial Mass both in Estonia and in the bishop’s birthplace in Germany.
More detailed timeline of diplomatic relations between Estonia and the Holy See: HERE
Photos: Gallery