“To profess” has a spectrum of meanings: to affirm openly; declare or claim; to make a pretense of; pretend; to claim skill in or knowledge of; to affirm belief in; to receive into a religious order or congregation; to make an open affirmation; or to take the vows of a religious order or congregation.
Professer, c’est en effet affirmer ouvertement une opinion, déclarer hautement une croyance, proclamer, enseigner.