Mission Report: Estonia: May 2011

Missionary Trip to Estonia—Reported by Joannes Bucher, January 2011

estonia-map

Estonia can boast a number of things that attract visitors from all over the globe, such as medieval architecture, a rich landscape and a singing tradition. But on the negative side, Estonia’s statistics on divorce, abortion, suicide, and other issues reflect a society that is among the most profoundly affected by the culture of death compared to other European countries. Estonia is also one of the most secular countries in the world. After regaining independence in 1991, its economic growth has been impressively rapid; but this is merely reflective of its move from the open materialism of communism to the subtle materialism of capitalism.

Similar to the other post-Soviet countries, Estonia is witnessing the direct consequences of Soviet anti-family mentality. During the Soviet regime, great efforts were made to destroy the true understanding of an individual human life, as well as the institution of family. This set the scene for a flourishing culture of death. The most tragically affected have been the unborn. The Soviet Union has made history as the first country in the world that legalised abortion. This triggered a demographic suicide. Abortion was legalised in Estonian territory in 1956, and since then, approximately 1.5 million children have been killed through abortion. This is far more than the current population of Estonia, which is approximately 1.3 million.

Currently, every third child is aborted (the latest statistics of 2009 show that there were 7,542 legally induced abortions for 15,804 live births). The pro-abortion culture is, among other things, a ticking demographic time bomb. The birth rate in Estonia fell from 2.26 in 1988 to 1.28 in 1998 and stayed at about 1.35 children per woman for several years. By 2007, the birth rate had climbed back to 1.64. Nevertheless, this is far below the replacement level. Depopulation is probably the most serious social problem facing Estonia.

HLI’S WORK IN ESTONIA

Representing HLI, I was able to give talks in Estonia at Collegium Educationis Revaliae, a unique complex of education and culture in the historic old town of Tallinn. The core of this center is the secondary school, founded on the parents’ initiative of being the first educators of their children. The center has integrated extra-curricular activities (music, arts, drama, science, etc) into the municipal curriculum. I addressed approximately 100 students, aged 17-18, encouraging them to take life issues seriously into their hearts. Estonians are quite reserved and not inclined to ask questions. Yet, after a long silence at the end of a talk, one boy made the comment: “To be honest with you, we have heard all this since we were in 8th grade, and therefore, there is nothing to ask anymore.” His attitude changed, however, when I stressed that the question is not so much whether we know the truth, but what we do about what we know is true. To understand the great suffering and evil of the culture of death is one thing; but to accept the responsibility such knowledge brings is, of course, much harder. This thought can be either an empowering or a frightening realization.

Joannes Bucher with students of Collegium Educationis Revaliae, Estonia.

In this multi-faceted educational complex, two pro-life initiatives already exist. In 2007, a program was initiated for girls who had given birth in their teens and were consequently forced to leave school. Eight young women graduated from its high school last spring. There are currently three other girls in the program, and there are a number of girls waiting to enroll. But there are around 300 such girls in Estonia who need help. This leads to the main focus of my visit to Estonia: namely, the establishment of a center for young mothers in need.

Young mothers continuing their secondary education after childbirth very often need a place to live, as well as a supportive environment to complete their studies. These mothers have often risked everything to give birth to their babies, especially those coming from a violent family background or an orphanage (where they cannot stay if they refuse to abort). Therefore, a center to accommodate and support the young mothers and their babies during the three high school years is something seriously needed. Currently, there are no real options offered by the state for pregnant women who are suffering from mental or physical violence and need a place to stay in order to be able to keep their babies.

HLI SUPPORTED BY THE CHURCH

The Bishop, Msgr. Philippe Jourdan, also saw the need for establishing a house for young mothers that would provide for women in need and eventually grow into a crisis pregnancy center. He recalled to me his last visit to the Holy Father. In this ad limina audience, the Pope had strongly encouraged the Bishops of the Baltic States to be the tireless defenders of families and life. Msgr. Jourdan expressed particular concern that “only 13% of children in Estonia grow up with both their mother and their father.” Catholics in this country are a very small minority.

The idea of strengthening pro-life activism in Estonia was also discussed in a meeting with the members of the Institute for the Culture of Life. This organization was founded 3 years ago by a small group of lay people. Their pro-life work has included raising awareness of pre-natal development and abortion through the web (www.abort.ee), radio programs, and teaching.

I also gave a talk to the local Catholic clergy and laity after the local Mass in the Cathedral. The Austrian Ambassador Angelika Saupe-Bertchtold was present, and three priests expressed their strong intention to create a prayer group for pro-life causes.

CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD

The last meeting of the mission trip was at the university town of Tartu with a group of medical students. A big problem in fighting abortion in Estonia is that the national curriculum requires performing 100 abortions in order to qualify as a gynaecologist in the first place. Ironically, the same resident needs to deliver only 2 babies. This means that students who oppose abortion cannot specialise in gynaecology. This is also the reason that there is not a single openly pro-life doctor in Estonia. When asked about the conscientious objection in this regard, the head of the department said that a student might refuse to perform abortions in the residency, but added that this has never happened in the history of the university. There is also reason to believe that the students who refuse to perform abortions are not accepted in the residency in the first place, so it is a vicious cycle. Great changes are slow.

Joannes Bucher with medical students.

On a positive note, each medical student at this university received a copy of Dr Nathanson’s groundbreaking book The Hand of God (translated into Estonian by the Institute for the Culture of Life). I’m hopeful that the time will come soon to organise a first ever conference at the university on the questions of bioethics.

Estonians know how to fight for life. In the late 80s, this country broke the Soviet bonds with the Singing Revolution – a revolution that has gone down in history as one that didn’t shed blood. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to sing for their freedom, which was regained shortly afterwards. The time has come now for Estonians to face a different—and a more subtle—fight for life versus death, which will be as crucial for their future as the one more than 20 years ago.

Join us in praying for the unity of Estonian families and their unconditional acceptance of the unborn. We pray that they will learn to cherish their most precious gift—children—and that the Lord will give this country back to His Mother Mary, whose name it bears. May God help to build up the strong pro-life mindset with concrete steps like the mothers’ house. In this mission your prayers and help will be needed and most appreciated.