Bishop Philippe Jourdan

Philippe Jean-Charles Jourdan was born on 30 August 1960 in Dax, France, into a Catholic family as the eldest of three brothers. One of his brothers is also a priest.

After studying mathematics and engineering in Paris, he moved to Rome, where he completed his theological studies at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Pontificium Athenaeum Sanctae Crucis). He also pursued doctoral studies in analytical philosophy.

Jourdan was ordained to the priesthood on 20 August 1988. From 1988 to 1992, he served as a university chaplain in Paris, where he was involved in the preparation of the World Youth Days. From 1992 to 1996, he served as a spiritual director for the Opus Dei Prelature in France.

In 1996, Jourdan moved to Estonia, where he has lived and ministered ever since. Since 1997, he has represented the Catholic Church on the Estonian Council of Churches. From 1999 to 2001, he served as priest of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Tallinn, and since 2004 he has served as Vice President of the Estonian Council of Churches.

On 23 March 2005, Pope John Paul II appointed Jourdan Apostolic Administrator of Estonia and Titular Bishop of Pertusa. He was consecrated bishop on 10 September 2005 at St. Olaf's Church (Oleviste Church) in Tallinn. The principal consecrator was Archbishop Peter Stephan Zurbriggen, with Cardinal Jānis Pujāts, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, and Opus Dei Prelate Javier Echevarría participating in the ceremony.

In 2005, he became an Estonian citizen. Since 26 September 2024, he has served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Tallinn.