Dear journalists
Here is a comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on the beatification of Archbishop Eduard Profittlich: “Today, on the day of archbishop Eduard Profittlich’s beatification, we not only commemorate an extraordinary man of unwavering faith, but we also celebrate a unique and deeply meaningful event in Estonian history. This is the first beatification in the history of the Estonian Catholic Church.
On the night of 27 June 1941, Profittlich was arrested in Tallinn and taken to Kirov Prison 800 kilometres from Moscow. There he endured ruthless nightly interrogations, humiliation, and physical and moral torture. He was sentenced to death on charges of ‘anti-revolutionary acts’, but died on 22 February 1942 as a result of endless torture before his sentence was carried out.
His tragedy reflects the tragedy of our entire nation. Every Estonian has their own story about deportations. During the Soviet occupation, more than 22,000 Estonians were murdered or died in prisons, labour camps and forced settlements under inhumane conditions. The objective was clear: to erase our independence and break our spirit. But Estonia survived.
Today, as Russia is committing atrocities during its aggression against Ukraine, including deportations, executions and other acts against humanity and international law, it painfully evokes our own past. History repeats itself.
Profittlich’s story is a painful and clear reminder that freedom, truth and human dignity are not self-evident – they must be defended everywhere.”
Additional information:
Communication Department
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