General Visit in Denmark
General Visit in Denmark
The General Visit of the Region of Copenhagen (Denmark) lasted from 10th to 15th of May 2014. The General Consultor Fr. Jacek Dembek and the representative of the “Conference of Europe” Fr. Johannes Römelt (Province of St. Clement) have been delegated by Father General to carry out the visit.
The Provincial Government from Vienna – Provincial Fr. Lorenz Voith and Vicar of the Provincial Fr. Alfons Jestl – also took part at the conclusion of the visitation. Since mid-2012, the region of Copenhagen is under the direct administration of the Province of Vienna.
Fr. Dembek visited the three houses – Naestved, Odense and Copenhagen and he spoke with all the confreres personally. There are 10 fathers belonging to the region now. Both in Odense, as well as in Copenhagen, the Redemptorists are responsible for one of the largest parishes in the diocese of Denmark. They also run the catholic private schools in Odense and in Naestved.
There were some discussions of setting up an “inter-provincial community” in Copenhagen under the authority of the Conference of Europe.
Redemptorists in Scandinavia
The Redemptorists from Austria came to Denmark more than 110 years ago. They were already working in Norway and Sweden even before. The pastoral involvement consisted primarily among the immigrants. Since the Reformation all northern countries were very much influenced by Protestantism. Only since the mid-19th century, it was again possible that the Catholics were allowed to work officially. The present situation is almost similar with the addition of new and different challenges (secularization, internationality, …).
The pastoral care for the large and increasing number of immigrants from all over the world – many of them Catholics – is one of the main focuses of the Redemptorists. In Copenhagen, there are mainly the Polish-speaking, the English-speaking (Filipinos, etc.), and the Danish-speaking communities. There are also other places where the members of the parish are formed from various nationalities. At present two confreres from the Warsaw Province, two confreres from the Province of Liguori (India) and a confrere from the Province of Vienna are working in Copenhagen.
The General Consultor thanked all for this important and the hard pastoral work and their presence in Denmark. Many specific questions and challenges were addressed on this occasion.
There were also discussions with the Bishop of Copenhagen, as well as with the lay people and religious sisters who work with the Redemptorists.
New Structures
Provincial Fr. Lorenz Voith expressed the hope that under an “international roof” this important mission of the Congregation can get a new and solid foundation. “The youth ministry” as well as the “vocation ministry” can also surely form a new and additional focus. Perhaps there may follow again a foundation in Sweden or Norway? … The need is quite relevant.
The visitation was concluded with a joint celebration of the Holy Mass followed by a dinner.
Fr. Lorenz Voith C.Ss.R.
Provincial of Vienna
The German version: www.redemptoristen.com
