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The Catholic Church in Estonia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome.
The History of Catholicism in Estonia
Between the years 1227 and 1626, Estonia was a Roman Catholic nation. However, under the Swedish rule of the nation (1561-1710), the Catholic faith was forbidden and replaced with the Lutheran branch of Christianity. After 1626, Catholicism in Estonia had been completely wiped out. Under the Russian rule, (1710-1918), Catholicism was reinstated as the national religion. However, the Catholic religion had lost much of its appeal to Estonians within the two centuries of Swedish rule. In 1918, when Estonia finally gained its independence, Estonian citizens gained freedom of religion. The Holy See recognized Estonia for the first time on October 10, 1921. In 1936, Eduard Proffitlich was ordained as the first Estonian bishop. When World War II broke out and Estonia was invaded by the Soviets, however, he was arrested and detained in Russia. During the Soviet occupation, all but two of Estonia's Catholic churches were closed. After World War II, Estonia regained its independence. Estonia was re-recognized by the Holy See on August 28, 1991. Estonia enjoyed its first Papal visit when Pope John Paul II visited in September, 1993.
The Current State of Catholicism in Estonia
The Catholic population of Estonia is very small, boasting only 6,000 adherents. There are no dioceses. Instead, the country forms an apostolic administration.
External links
"Roman Catholicism in Estonia"