Lambert Ehrlich was a Carinthian Slovene Catholic priest, ethnologist, and political figure who lived from 1878 to 1942. Born in the Canal Valley, he studied theology in Innsbruck and Rome before serving in various ecclesiastical roles, including a professorship at the University of Ljubljana. He was a prominent figure in Catholic education and a scholar of comparative religion, having studied at the Sorbonne and in Oxford. During the Second World War, he was active in political discussions regarding Slovenian independence and anti-communist efforts.
Academic and political life
Ehrlich held several academic positions, notably as a professor of comparative religion in Ljubljana. His scholarly work included studies on the religious customs of Australian Aborigines. Politically, he served as a member of the Yugoslav delegation at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference. He was also deeply involved in Catholic student organizations, serving as an ideologue for the Straža club and editing its magazine.
Death and recognition
In 1942, Ehrlich proposed a political program for an independent Slovenian state, though it was not adopted. He remained a vocal opponent of communism. He was assassinated in Ljubljana in May 1942 by a member of the communist Security and Intelligence Service. Following the war, his remains were exhumed and moved by communist authorities. He is currently recognized as a servant of God by the Catholic Church.