Societas Urielis

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Societas Urielis

The Societas Urielis (Latin; German Society Uriels , short form: SoU or SU) was created in 2005 from the merger of the two Catholic lay associations, the Saarbrücken Catholic Faith Community (1984–2005) and the lay brotherhood OGFU (abbreviation for Ordo nova militia gladii fraternitas equitum sancti urielis archangeli , since 2002 reduced to Ordo gladii fraternitas sancti urielis archangeli ; 2000–2005). It is a classic association with international contacts and sphere of activity, in accordance with the Apostolicam actuositatem and Vatican II . The name takes up aspects of the two lay associations: with societas the community aspect and with Uriel the distinct reference to Africa.

One of the central, self-determined areas of responsibility according to the statutes is the missionary work in Germany. The SoU is one of the few German lay organizations and, as of 2008, one of only two independent Catholic organizations that are not primarily concerned with proselytizing outside Germany, but rather within Germany. Based on the maxim that “apostolic activity requires closeness between people and knowledge of the problems and wishes of the people to be addressed”, it relies, in contrast to traditional church institutions, not on a large, centrally managed form of organization with supraregional advertising measures, but on regional ones Presence through different activities of the individual SoU groups. The work also consists of joint projects with educational institutions and parishes .

The Societas originally intended to have completed the change from a student-religious community within the Catholic Church to a community of the Catholic Church by 2016. This goal was suspended at the convention in 2013 for an indefinite period of time, as the attitude loyal to the Pope and the episcopal doctrine were seen in competition. This majority decision led to a small turning point, as several members left the community in the period that followed. "At the overall convention in 2019, this decision was again critically questioned and the majority decision was made to re-examine the continuation of the recognition process."

Structure and membership

The Societas Urielis is organized partly as a fraternity and partly as an open association . The statutes of the Societas do not provide for a large institutional action and administrative apparatus. It relies heavily on a multiplier effect in the self-imposed areas of activity.

In administrative terms, it consists of the chapter and the regional commendaturae. The cooperating and corresponding members are assigned to the latter under the term auxiliares . All offices and positions are voluntary . The decision-making process takes place democratically at the regional conventions and the overall convention. Every group or person who joins the SoU enters into a contractual obligation with the chapter, whereby this primarily regulates the use of names, regulations and appearance for the community. The six commendaturae with the largest number of members as of 2020 are in Cologne - Düsseldorf ( North Rhine-Westphalia ) and Berlin ( metropolitan region Berlin / Brandenburg ). It is customary to put the Latin names after the term Commendatura.

As full members, i. S. v. Ordinary memberships, according to the Codex Societatis, “adult Catholics of any age, occupation, educational level or gender can belong to the Societas ”. If they belong to the Catholic clergy, they are considered natural members. As auxiliaries, corresponding and cooperating memberships, non-Catholics and members of other religions can belong to the community and contribute to projects. This opening is due to apostolic activity in a multicultural and religious environment. What can also be seen in the statement "Because only through dialogue with one another can the teaching and grace of God be recognized by everyone." And the establishment of the Forum Theology Working Group in 2014.

Since 2009, the Societas has neither actively recruited nor actively joined. After a phase of getting to know each other, a new member is proposed and a three-year postulate begins after the convention has given its approval. During this time the prospective new members are listed as numbers . The active slowing down of growth is intended to maintain the homogeneity of the community and strengthen the personal level.

As of 2020, the Societas has around 500 regular memberships nationwide. A more differentiated breakdown results from the request in 2008 - prayer communities 362, active memberships 102, auxiliares 441 members - and publications such as that of the Commendatura Wadegotia in 2007: Numbers (34), Cameroon (12), Ivory Coast (2), Congo ( 22), India (3).

Goals of the Societas

The general aim, with different variants, is the implementation of the apostolic activity of the believers as a group in accordance with the 2nd Vatican Council. In doing so, the community itself establishes that it only follows and disseminates Catholic church teaching. But it uses and promotes the freedom and the existing pluralism in all areas in which the Church does not commit Catholics to something specific. Loyalty to the Pope has a special emphasis.

Apart from the working groups Christians in Need and Forum Theology , the areas of activity can be broken down as follows:

Area of ​​theological formation of members as the basis of apostolic activity

Since a comprehensive theological training is the basis of every missionary work, as can be seen in the preamble of the statutes, the SoU offers its members numerous support offers, financial and personal, and further training opportunities. At the same time, there are also a number of events that the general public can attend free of charge, as “strengthening the faith is generally easier than leading people to the Catholic faith”, as Deacon P. Oranuba explained in the opening speech of the academy in Fulda. For these reasons, the SoU generally grants members support in the theology studies as well as members who feel called to serve in the church and encourages members to take up a degree. The process of continuing education lasts a lifetime for members, in accordance with the impulses of the Second Vatican Council for “formatio continua”.

Active participation in the missionary process in Germany

The Societas is active in the form of academies, symposia and free lectures, the organization of Bible circles and prayer communities, the provision of free learning and teaching materials (see open source project planning) as well as numerous regional-related activities (see reference books in the library, see memorial walks) . In addition to commercial offers, the proceeds of which flow into the SoU's fundraising campaigns, it offers a number of regular, free courses and seminars under the motto "Missioning in Germany" in the three largest commendaturae. The Bible study groups are not counted here.

Africa aid area

The Societas continued the area of ​​Africa aid of the lay fraternity after its foundation. From 1991-2006 projects in the Ivory Coast , Ghana and Cameroon were primarily supported in cooperation with a friendly association. From 2007 to 2014 she implemented 27 projects in six African countries on her own. Depending on the project, funding consists of donations in kind, cash and / or active personal help on site. The primary goal is always to encourage people to help themselves.

Open source projects

The provision of theological texts, be it for study or for one's own deepening of knowledge in questions of faith, is one of the most important points for the Societas. A considerable part of this is available either as online versions or as reference works in one of the presence media libraries in Berlin and Cologne, also for non-members. All Commendaturae are required to provide their own theological handset on site.

The mobile open source versions that are available on various download platforms include the Edda (R4.9), the Codex Iuris Canonici with remarks (R19.1), the Book of Enoch (R5.7), and several of the Koran Translations as well as the purely Windows-based Latin and Koine learning programs (R7, R13). The Bible Atlas project was actively created and maintained from 2008-2014. It has been considered completed since 2014. A general designation as developments of the Societas has been suggested since 2008, previously the names of the respective authors and developers were mentioned. The web version of the Koran had the author's name and only since 2020 the logo. The mobile versions, which can be obtained free of charge, represent the most successful platform-based project with around 900,000 downloads.

Memorial walks

“On the way to Wendelinus” has been the motto on October 19th since 2001. Every year until 2006, every three years until 2015, every four years as of 2020. The trail begins on October 19 in Saarlouis , previously in Wadgassen and ends on October 20 at the Wendalinus basilica in St. Wendel , Saarland . All Catholics, friends and members are invited to follow the path. The maximum number of participants was reached in 2012 with 72 people, which slightly exceeded 2004, the best year to date. The route corresponds to the pilgrimage route of the 19th century, covers around 54 km and is therefore quite demanding. Sick people and seniors are advised to join us only from Illingen. The "Path to Wendelinus" is a pilgrimage on the one hand, and a reminder of the first two commendaturae of the Societas on the other: Wadegotia and Wendelina.

The “Urielweg” took place from 2003 to 2013 in odd years on November 8th. The hike on Uriel's Memorial Day was open to everyone. Stations on the way were the respective Catholic churches in Wadgassen , Lisdorf , Ensdorf , Bous . Usually the end was a joint fair.

Since 2016, the Urielweg has been abandoned in favor of participating in official pilgrimages.

Regular activities in Germany

  • Implementation of the two annual conventions with changing locations
  • Implementation of regional conventions and open academies
  • Establishment and maintenance of the handheld devices “Roman Catholic Theology”, “Evangelical Theology”, “Buddhism”, “Islam” and “Natural Religions” in the public community media center in Wadgassen ; Moved to Cologne in 2007, supplemented by the Berlin location from 2016. According to their own statement, however, all locations are stopped to keep theological handsets available.
  • Cooperation in the remote program of the St. Patrick's Bibleschool with on-site accompanying courses; Project from 2005–2009.
  • Implementation of the regular and free Bible study groups in Berlin , Cologne and Saarlouis .
  • Regular trips to Cologne to various mother tongue pastoral care offices in the Archdiocese to deepen the knowledge of the characteristics of the Roman Catholic Church in other countries, mostly with final participation in the mass in Cologne Cathedral .
  • Free lectures on different faith areas since 2003 - mostly in cooperation with local church congregations and institutions such as B. Adult Education Centers . 500–600 teaching units per year are recorded.

Prayer community and forum theology

The Societas took over the prayer community from the original "Catholic Community Circle Saarbrücken", continued it and expanded it thematically. In addition to Bible discussion and exegesis, she provides support in times of need and shows the common faith to the outside world. The topics of interdenominational and interreligious dialogue are dealt with in the prayer community from a dogmatic point of view, but are primarily assigned to the theology forum as part of a theological treatment.

With the project “Pedophilia Victims and Perpetrators” the “effect which damages the reputation of the Church of God and makes the work of the SoU more difficult” should be mitigated. The project originally consisted of an annual memorial day on December 9th, the day on which the American diocese of Spokane had to file for bankruptcy due to high recourse payments through hundreds of lost abuse lawsuits , as well as the constant intercession page We ask for . The public intercession site was discontinued with the implementation of the EU-GDPR , the intercessions are transferred to the prayer community. The traditional commemorative flyer on December 9th will continue to be published as of 2020.

Publications

Since 2000, the journal “Impavidi progrediamur”, abbreviated to Ip in literature references, has been self-published once a year. As of 2020, it has a print media circulation of 9,000 and an ePaper circulation of around 12,000 copies. Thematically, it takes up interesting internal and external topics of the current year and gives an outlook on the coming year. Distribution area of ​​the print media circulation in the internal distribution list 5,731, free copies 3,269 for distribution by the Commendaturae. The ePaper issues are sent to the subscribers by email.

In addition to the annual magazine, the Societas supports its members with publications in the areas of editing and sales. The main focus of publications, however, is on “preserving the materials of the annual academies.” For this purpose, collections are created and held in the Commendaturae, whereby a current overview can be accessed online

Leaders and praetors

Investiture of the later Praetor Ordinis Daniel Latz and of the then legate Andreas Neumann by Prelate Edmund Dillinger , 2000

In the following list, membership is indicated by the following abbreviations: Community group (G), OGFU (O), Societas Urielis (S).

Before the merger:

  • 1984–1992: Head of Pastor Bruno Hoss (G)
  • 1992–1993: Provisional Head Peter Melchior (G)
  • 1993–2000: Head of Pastor Hermann Burger (G)

After the merger:

  • 2000–2001: Head of the OGFU Daniel Latz (O)
  • 2002–2004: Praetor Ordinis Daniel Latz (O)
  • since 2004: Praetor Ordinis Daniel Latz (O, S)

Honorary memberships

  • Ama, Jean-Baptiste († February 29, 2004), Bishop, Ebolowa-Kribi (Cameroon)
  • Ochiaga, Gregory, Bishop, Orlu ( Nigeria ), protector of the Societas since 2001
  • Dillinger, Edmund , Prelate and Dome of Honor , Altenkessel (Germany)
  • Lorenzi, A., Pastor, Cologne (Germany)
  • Mathes, Mike, artist, Saarlouis (Germany)
  • Lavin, Marion, cult researcher, NY ( USA )

In 2007, the former leaders of the Catholic Faith Community and Prayer Circle Saarbrücken were awarded, partly posthumously.

Flag, circle and coat of arms

The flag design is upright, white, on the inside a black (1 / 4.1 / 4) stripe iHdF separated from the blue field. The letters SoU only carry flags at the venue of the annual general convention.

As of 2020, only the simplified classic circle variant with the letters SoU and the simplified form SU will be used within the Societas Urielis . The latter shape also forms the modern logo. All three circle variants, the two classic variants are shown here, are mostly used when signing documents and certificates and point to the connection history of some of the founding members.

Circle of Societas Urielis / OGFU Circle of Societas Urielis coat of arms

The blazon of the changed coat of arms , as it was added to the SaarLorLux coat of arms on December 1, 2006 . The English version of blazon was used.

  • Shield: Black and blue divided by oblique left wavy bars in silver
  • Helmet bead: Black throughout
  • Helmet cover: silver-black, black without division in the band
  • Crest: growing silver bear, holding the blue rose

In 2017 it was decided to only use the coat of arms in justified cases.

Motto

The motto of the Societas Urielis was adopted by the OGFU, confirmed again in 2017 and reads "impavidi progrediamur"; lat., dt. forward undaunted. "This stands on the one hand for the standing up of the members for the doctrines of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church, on the other hand for the standing up of the members to one another".

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b https://societas-urielis.de , para. How can the Societas Urielis be characterized? [7/12/2020].
  2. ↑ See Obst, Rainer: Missionierung in Deutschland, lecture series 2007.
  3. ↑ Cf. Rau, Andrea: Development of the Laienkirchen, Saarbrücken 2006.
  4. ^ SoU Chapter: Principles of our Apostolic Activity . In: Convention resolutions and transcripts 2006–2007; Convention decision IV.a / 07 . Astarte Verlag, S. 1 .
  5. ^ SoU Chapter: Principles of our Apostolic Activity . In: Convention resolutions and transcripts 2006–2007; Convention decision IV.a / 07 . Astarte Verlag, S. 3 .
  6. ↑ a b c cf. https://societas-urielis.de , para. How can the Societas Urielis be characterized? [7/12/2020].
  7. ↑ See SoU: November Convention 2012, in: In interdenominational dialogue, collection of abstracts from the academy in Trier, Cologne 2012, 7–11.
  8. ↑ a b See https://societas-urielis.de , section Organization of the Societas Urielis [July 12, 2020].
  9. ↑ https://societas-urielis.de , section Organization of the Societas Urielis [July 12, 2020].
  10. ↑ Compare also flyer and poster SoU from 2006.
  11. ^ SoU: Missioning in Germany. Die Kirche an der Wende, collection of abstracts from the Academy in Cologne, Cologne 2006, 87f.
  12. ↑ SoU: Market of Religions ?, Collection of abstracts from the Academy in Bonn, Wadgassen u. Bonn 2010, 15.
  13. ↑ a b c cf. https://societas-urielis.de Standing working groups of the Societas [July 11, 2020].
  14. ↑ a b Answer letter from the SoU board to the current membership figures, as of April 2008, April 18, 2008.
  15. ↑ https://societas-urielis.de/#open-modalmglP Information [July 12, 2020].
  16. ↑ Wadegotia: Commemorative 2007, in: SoU: Syro-Malabar Church and Rome, collection of abstracts of the Academy in Saarlouis Wadgassen u. Cologne 2007, 57–63.
  17. ↑ a b c d Cf. https://societas-urielis.de , Section Publications of the Societas [July 14, 2020].
  18. ↑ Collected donations reports of academia Wadegotia, 2005-2007.
  19. ↑ SoU chapter: Accountability report, III. Educational activities on site, in: Ip 2007, 9.
  20. ↑ Dillinger, Edmund: Personal help and donations in kind for the leprosy station “Nkol Afidi” in Mbalmayo ( Cameroon ), in: Annual issue of the OGFU, thanks from the Bishop of Mbalmayo, 1999. In: Le Messager: Nkol Afidi, Cameroon 2004 and Nouvelle Expression: Interview with Monseigneur Adalbert Ndzana, Cameroon 2007.
  21. ↑ Letter of thanks from the director, complete construction of the infirmary of the youth center in the diocese of Yamousoukro ( Ivory Coast ), in: Annual magazine of SoU, Wadgassen 2003. In: Le Nouveau Reveil - République de Côte d'Ivoir, N'Chaud Bertin 08/2006, 12.
  22. ↑ Books and donations in kind to the Catholic kindergarten in Ngomedzap, Cameroon , in: Africa Positive 04/2007.
  23. ↑ Grevelding, HG, Diakon: Letter of thanks CV Afrikahilfe eV: Donations to and collection of donations for the CV Afrikahilfe of the German Cartell Association to support the CV-Afrika-Hilfe project planning, in: Der Weg, Cologne 2007, 2008.
  24. ↑ Cf. https://societas-urielis.de/#open-modalcvah The first years: Achieving more together, sustainable help on site [July 12, 2020].
  25. ↑ Cf. https://societas-urielis.de/#open-modalafrika Achieving more together, sustainable help on site [7/12/2020]
  26. ↑ Projects in Africa ( Memento from May 18, 2015 in the web archive archive.today ), accessed on April 28, 2008.
  27. ↑ Unused information on the old text: 120,000 downloads, according to 1 & 1 download statistics 2003–2008.
  28. ^ Saarbrücker Zeitung: Gedächtniswanderung, Saarbrücken 2001.
  29. ↑ Wadgasser local Sheet: The long road, 10/2004.
  30. ↑ Cf. SoU: Walking in memory, in: Ip 2008, 2. u. SoU: On the way to Wendelinus, in: Ip 2019, 6.
  31. ↑ a b See https://societas-urielis.de/#open-modalperegrinus [July 12th, 2020].
  32. ↑ Bous community papers, Saarlouis, Wadgassen: Faith Moves, 2003 a. 2005.
  33. ↑ See Wadgasser Ortsblatt: Wandering in Belief, 2/2003 a. SoU: Der Urielweg, in: Ip 2019, 6.
  34. ↑ Petrus & Paulus: Bishop Ochiaga takes over the presidency, Saarbrücken 2001.
  35. ^ Kölner Wochenspiegel: Exhibition Pope Paul II in a solemn setting, Cologne 2004.
  36. ↑ Münster Official Journal: Open Catholic Academy, 2005, in: Der Fels: Open Academy on the topic of abortion, Münster 2006.
  37. ↑ Cf. Wadgassen Pfarrbrief: Freely available literature, Wadgassen 3/2006.
  38. ↑ See Saarlouis Aktuell: Open Media Library for Catholics, Saarlouis 6/2006.
  39. ↑ Information in the old article without evidence: until 2008 620 events
  40. ↑ See Saarbrücker Zeitung: KVHS and SoU offer theology seminars in Bous and Wadgassen, Saarbrücken 2006.
  41. ↑ a b c See https://societas-urielis.de , Paragraph Regular Activities of the Societas Urielis. [7/12/2020]
  42. ↑ https://societas-urielis.de/#open-modal , excerpt: Circular No. 132 [July 12, 2020], first access: April 28, 2008
  43. ↑ Thome, S .: Lecture, The Faith Crisis of the Catholic Church in the USA, UdS / Kthl.Fak Saarbrücken 2008.
  44. ↑ https://societas-urielis.de , Section Publications of the Societas [July 11, 2020].
  45. ↑ Alternatively: https://societas-urielis.de/#open-modalpubs , own publications of the annual academy [11.7.2020].
  46. ^ Bild Zeitung: Schröder enthusiastic about his BILD portrait, October 26, 2006; Image Saar: Dynamic traveling exhibition Pope John Paul II, 2007.
  47. ↑ See https://societas-urielis.de , para. Which honorary memberships does the Societas Urielis know [11.7.2020].
  48. ↑ a b https://societas-urielis.de , Paragraph How one can recognize members of the Societas Urielis [07/11/2020].
  49. ↑ See Codex Societatis, as of 2008.

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