Bishop's visit to Fulda

Report: Student teachers, student and research assistants and professors visited Bishop Heinz Josef Algermissen in Fulda on June 28, 2017

On June 28, at the end of the summer semester, 40 student teachers, staff and professors from the Institute of Catholic Theology visited Bishop Heinz Josef Algermissen in Fulda. Such a meeting, which is dedicated to exchanging views on current social and church policy issues and focuses in particular on the situation of future religious education teachers, takes place every two years. During the discussion, the students were highly motivated to show future children and young people the face of the church. The acquisition of religious competence plays a central role in the study of Catholic theology. Particularly in view of the current social situation, it is important to bring the potential of the Christian faith, such as the power of opposition to violence, exclusion and poverty, into social debates.

The students' fears of not being able to get a job as a teacher after their studies despite the local demand were also addressed. "Step on the toes of those responsible in the Ministry of Culture when it comes to religious education." Turning to Bishop Heinz Josef Algermissen, student Martin Bartsch also gave the reason for his request: "We reach children and young people who otherwise have no connection to the church. We are often the first port of call." Bishop Algermissen agreed with him: "People discover the church in you. You give the church a face." The students also addressed church reforms, such as allowing married priests, in order to better respond to the current signs of the times. Bishop Algermissen drew the students' attention to the special situation and challenges of a global church in which togetherness must be shaped and differences must be endured.

The meeting began with a very personal church service in St. Michael's Church. This was followed by an intensive one-hour discussion in the Auditorium maximum of the Faculty of Theology. Afterwards, the students visited Fulda Cathedral and had a guided tour of the seminary library.