This is an interesting interview. Sadly, it is obvious that the good bishop is enamored of the program of ecumenism, which has not actually helped the Church to grow, but, rather, to contract.
(Aid to the Church in Need) — After centuries of prohibition, the small Catholic community of Estonia is rising from the ashes. On September 26th, 2024, Pope Francis erected the first diocese in the country. On November 1st of the same year, during an address to the Catholic Church of Estonia to mark the centenary of the creation of its first apostolic administration, Pope Francis congratulated it for being an “example of faith,” despite “decades of suffering, occupation, and oppression”, and stated that “this admirable legacy of faith and charity will nurture the current generation of priests, religious, and lay faithful.”
The new diocese is headed by Bishop Philippe Jourdan, apostolic administrator since 2005, who arrived from France in 1996 and has subsequently acquired Estonian citizenship. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop Jourdan presented the situation for Catholics in the country.
What is the religious situation in Estonia?
Estonia is still one of the most secular countries in Europe. Around one in four people say they are believers, with the rest claiming no religious beliefs. However, in reality, many people believe, without really knowing in what. Interestingly, whereas in the rest of Europe, secularism is on the rise, this percentage in Estonia has remained pretty stable over the past 25 years.
Read more at Aid to the Church in Need…
