It has come as a surprise to many in the Toronto Estonian Community that the minister of St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dean Mart Salumäe is running for a seat in Estonia’s Riigikogu, the parliament. The elections will be held on March 5th. Citizens residing abroad are able to vote electronically and in certain cities in person prior to that date,
please see details here.
Dean Salumäe is a candidate of the Social Democratic Party of Estonia (
Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond) in the electoral district of Järva- and Viljandimaa. His candidate registration number is Reg 492.
https://rk2023.valimised.ee/et... Politics and religion do not always mix successfully. In Canada that is not always the case. Baptist minister Tommy Douglas became the premier of Saskatchewan, later led the New Democratic Party which while federally not populist often reflects the views of the extreme left. Douglas is credited with introducing the single-payer, universal health care program that while praised, is teetering at the moment. On the other side of the political pendulum Douglas’ contemporary, the Methodist Ernest Manning, who preached in the 1930’s on the radio program “Back to the Bible Hour”. Manning used that public prominence to enter politics becoming the premier of Alberta for 25 years. His son Preston founded the populist Reform Party and was in federal politics until 2002.
Estonia’s best example is Jaan Lattik, truly a renaissance man. Ordained in Riga in 1909, he served the Petersburg Jaani (St. John’s) Church. Interestingly, Lattik served the Viljandi Pauluse (St. Paul’s) congregation after his probationary year in Russia, up until 1939. Lattik entered politics as a leader of the Christian People’s Party (
Kristlik Rahvaerakond) and served his country as Education Minister (1928-1931) and Foreign Minister (1925-27). During the period of 1939-1940 he was Estonia’s Ambassador to Lithuania. After fleeing the Soviet occupation he returned to being a minister in Sweden while being active in the refugee political efforts. Lattik was also a prolific author, especially for the younger reader.
Hence it is possible to combine the two. But being a minister means giving full attention to one’s flock. It is the primary reason for ordination. It is commendable to be involved beyond the congregation yet being involved in politics risks losing focus on the religious. Rare is the individual who can manage the full-time responsibilities of the ministry with the demands of the political sphere.
Dean Salumäe is well compensated for his ministry at St. Peter’s. Money cannot be behind the choice of running for a parliamentary seat. It would be nigh impossible to serve both his flock in Toronto and the electorate in Estonia. It must be noted that among those surprised about his candidacy are members of St. Peter’s congregation. The undersigned is not a member. Was the candidacy officially announced, whether from the pulpit or by mail from the board of the church? It should have been made public in some form. It certainly did not appear in Eesti Elu, the Estonian language newspaper published in Toronto and online.
St. Peter’s is going through a difficult time deciding the future of the church. The minister’s first priority should be to the congregation, which unfortunately is divided, opposition to the proposed sale, should all requirements be made is not insignificant.
Politics is never a neutral calling. Consider the examples provide above. Of those Dean Salumäe, as a social democrat falls firmly into Douglas’ camp. A recent article posted at objektiiv.ee (
https://objektiiv.ee/eelk-vaim... ) on February 15th indicates that his views on certain topics are not in accord with the Council of Estonian Churches positions. It is fair to suggest that there may be disagreement among his congregation as well.
Dean Salumäe will be turning 60 years old shortly, on March 13th. An age when the majority of the clergy is still serving their congregation. In Toronto the Archbishop of the E.E.L.K. whose constitution from 1919 affirms that it is a people’s church, run from the bottom up, served into his seventies, in fact until the end of his earthly life. St. Peter’s, however, under his successor chose to join EELK, whose constitution differs from E.E.L.K as it was ratified during the Soviet occupation, then revised in this century. The ramifications for St. Peter's congregation were then not adequately defined to the congregation. EELK is run from the top down, not a people's church.
To be informed of Dean Salumäe’s entry into politics this late is not ethical for many. A clarification of the future intentions of the minister of St. Peter’s, who is also involved in local community affairs is to be expected and should have been transparent from the moment that he filed his candidacy. Although the likelihood of his election is very slim the manner in which Dean Salumäe entered politics does raise questions.
TÕNU NAELAPEA
