Kolleegium is a quarterly published web magazine in Estonian, which carries a Catholic worldview. The magazine examines the societal life in it’s wholeness, covering both actual and timeless themes. The publication is a collaborative creation of specialists from different fields, thus providing content that goes in depth in a diverse range of topics.
The first, January 2021 issue considers “money and wealth” – what Pope Francis wishes the coming economic order to be like in his new encyclical, studies Doctor of Theology Ingmar Kurg; what do the present and future of Estonia as an e-country look like in the vision of the former Minister of IT Kaimar Karu; how does a man who has dedicated his life to God, monk-priest Fr Artur, regard money and wealth; how does the Church as an institution properly relate to money, explains leader of the Church Fund Janek Mäggi; about investing in your youth writes Oto Tuul; what flows in Margo Kõlar’s recent piece for choir and string orchestra, “Pirita Missa”, examines musician Arno Humal.
The topic of the second, April 2021 number is “home-place”. Aivar Jürgenson, senior researcher of cultural history discusses earthly and heavenly homeland. A two part theological treatise of the nation of God on a pilgrimage by theology student Hanno Saks and theologians Anželika Kütt and Ingmar Kurg. On the side of societal life we discuss home and homeland security with former leader of Estonian Defense Forces, general Riho Terras. Internationally experienced entrepreneur Aare Lapõnin weighs the pros and cons of workforce migration. A meditation on the pain of Estonia seen in the movie “Timeless” of Soviet deportations by master’s student of theology and Lutheran deacon Robert Bunder. We get to know about the sound of Estonia in interview with composer Pärt Uusberg. The story of three missionary sisters, Assunta, Celesta and Salvatora in post-war Estonia and their return to home. Two dedicated family mothers, Nele Aus and Triin Pajupuu, share their experience on keeping balance between family life and work life.
Topic of the third number, July 2021 is “creation and nature”. Next generation historian Kristjan Oad challenges the conventional ethno-romantic myth of pre-modern Estonians as wild „forest people”. Forest researcher Raul Rosenvald analyzes modern Estonian forest management policy and it’s harm to creatures of the forest and to forest business. Photographer Andres Estna takes the reader along to a hike via his nature photos. Theologian Ingmar Kurg takes a keen look at pope Francis’ environment-themed encyclical „Laudato si”. Ra Luhse, one of the architects behing Pirita monastery, reveals some secrets of designing a modern monastery building. A discussion about music, family and forms of liturgy with Lauri Jõeleht, composer and Gregorian chant upholder. Lastly we present recently publicized Estonian translation of the youth catechism Youcat, a cooperative effort of the local youth and teachers.
Topic of the fourth number, October 2021 is the “crisis”. Is the Catholic Church in crisis? A two-part article by dr. theol Ingmar Kurg: “… Who Should We Go To?” Part I: Renewal and Continuity in Recent Catholic History; Part II: The Hermeneutics of Reforms and the Hierarchy of Truths”. PhD Martti Kalda thinks about democracy as a belief and asks: has the Western world reached its critical end? Where lies salvation? World Dominican Culture Days in Tallinn: flashback by the organisers Lembit Peterson and Kristjan Üksküla, photogallery and video lectures. Life as a priest on the borders of the human psyche. An orthodox clergyman Father Aleksander Sarapik guides the reader to his most critical and extreme moments in life. Father Miguel from Chile reveals his critical moments in life and contemplates the crisis in history – how we as humankind may benefit from them. Pedagogue Hanno Padar ponders the boundaries of morality in a modern world.
Fifth number, January 2022. The main topic of this number is “tradition”. In this number you find: Bishop Philippe Jourdan introduces the revolutionary book by Michel-Yves Bolloré and Olivier Bonnassies, „Dieu, la science, les preuves“: How the most modern discoveries in science can prove the existence of God as we know Him from the Bible. Meeting with Father Wodek Szczepanik: How to approach the complex and multilayer term “Tradition” according to Catholic understanding. An introduction to the cult theologian Romano Guardini’s masterpiece “The Liturgy as a Game” by Ingmar Kurg. An interview with the new parish priest in Tallinn Tomasz Materna. The body language of a Catholic mass: Explanation of gestures of a participants by theologian Anželika Kütt. Religion psychologist Tõnu Lehtsaar contemplates on the religious nature of Estonians and comes to a conclusion: Estonians, officially one of the least religious people in the world, do believe, but in their own manner. Tradition in religious art: The birth story of the stained glass of Holy Mary the Virgin in Viru-Nigula historical chapel by artist Kai Kiudsoo-Värv. One of the wealthiest men in Estonia, Urmas Sõõrumaa, says, he goes to church every Sunday, an interview by Janek Mäggi.
Sixth number, April 2022 deals with the main topic “war”. On the 24th of February 2022, Russia launched a war campaign against Ukraine. Therefore Europe is in the midst of an armed conflict such as not been witnessed since the II World War. Kolleegium asks: when it is just and righteous to involve in military conflict as a catholic and bishop Philippe Jourdan answers the question in his article. Legal scholar Tanel Kalmet writes about the Ukrainian and Moscow churches in the whirlpool of war – the religious motives in the conflict inside the Orthodox world. Political scientist Alar Kilp replies to the question “how does the war affect mine and your everyday world?” Imbi Paju writes about the war therapies and why flower beds and singing have such an important role in midst of death and destruction. Estonian churches in the aid of Ukrainian refugees. How Hollywood star Andrew Garfield prepared for the main role in Martin Scorcese’s “Silence”: following the footsteps of Ignatius de Loyola and the Jesuits. As a result of 10 years of work, a novel about the life of Eduard Profittlich was published: The presentation of “Tunnistaja” (A Witnesser – not translated to English) took place in St. Peter and Paul Parish, Tallinn: photos, an interview with the author Katrin Laur and speeches. 200 years since Thomas Kempis’ “De imitatione Christi” was first published in Estonian; Ingmar Kurg introduces a new, jubilee edition.