In the wild nature of Iceland with a direct connection to creation and Creator: Ute Stenert of the Catholic Church, with Monsignor Georg material on the Catholic faith, Austen speaks of Boniface’s life on the Island.
The blue sisters pray in Mariulind. Photo: Boniface/Meier
The Bonifatiuswerk of German Catholics supports Catholic Christians where they live in an extreme minority in your Faith. The Agency promotes the pastoral care in the Diaspora areas of Northern Europe. How the Faith is practiced and what are the challenges facing the Catholic Church is actually on the Island, explained Monsignor Georg Austen, Secretary-General of the Boniface drive, in this Interview with Ute Stenert.
Stenert: Monsignor Austen, in many cases, you have the Nordic countries travelled to, were on the ground in the municipalities, also on the Island. What is the fascination of the country exerts on you? What encounters have left a lasting impression?
Monsignor Austen: The wild nature, the landscape, the hospitality of the people, the growing young Church in an extreme Diaspora situation, with few resources and large distances, the gospel is a face in the country and there is always more to be perceived in all their difficulties and challenges. Has impressed me, especially the encounter with the blue sisters, the say so of a self-confident and warm manner: “We have found a place and it is precisely in this place, we pass on the good news.” On the other, it is the people of the different cultures that have found their life and suffering in the Church in Iceland a new home.
Stenert: Is there a place on the Island, for a special spiritual power?
Monsignor Austen: Mariulind – an old place of pilgrimage over the centuries and the Reformation period in the middle of the countryside, a place of peace and prayer is that people of different Stripes are also Ecumenical links. The ancient roots of the encounter with God to be kept alive.
Poor Church in a rich country
Stenert: once on the Island, is overwhelmed by the forces of nature. The Reflection and the Pray to fall in such an environment?
Monsignor Austen: In this environment, with all its beauty, bleakness, loneliness, and its climatic Extremes, people feel a direct connection to the creation. There also is the Creator can be experienced directly. It does, however, involve the danger of myths and superstition.
Stenert: Iceland has around 350,000 inhabitants, of which 70 percent Lutheran. Currently, the 13,000 Catholics living on the Island. What is the Situation of the Catholic Church dominates in the Diaspora and the challenges it faces?
Monsignor Austen: For the growing Catholic community, it is always challenging your Faith to life, because although Iceland is a wealthy state has developed, the Catholic Church is materially poor. There is a lack of churches, premises and priests apartments. This is because, unlike in the case of the Lutheran state Church, the Catholics hardly get something from the state. For every Catholic Christian who comes to the Island and as the Catholic register, gets to the Church per year, 90 euros from the state. But not every Catholic is registered on the island. So it is for the Church, is hardly possible to make a living. Therefore, it is dependent on the support from the outside. A particular challenge is the language and Integration. Catholics from all around the world, the vast majority in the Diaspora Church.
Ecumenism is practically
Stenert: what is the relationship of the Catholic Church to the Lutherans, to policy and to society as a whole?
Monsignor Austen: It is a good and respectful Ecumenical ties. For example, it is possible that the Catholic community to celebrate in the Lutheran Church, in worship, if in a village no Church of their own. This is a very practical Ecumenism. However is progressing well on the Island, the process of secularization, whereby the relations of the different churches and religions of the state are becoming increasingly difficult. Nevertheless, the Catholic Church grows and is perceived in the society, more and more.
Stenert: Which projects supported Boniface’s work in Iceland and how high is the financial aid?
Monsignor Austen: since 1974 we support the Church on the Island, with the construction and renovation of parish houses and community centers, in the catechetical work with children and youth, the acquisition of BONUSES-buses, with our internship program, or the funding of Staff positions, the pastoral and catechetical work. Since 2008, projects have been funded by the bonifatiuswerk in the amount of 1.487.803 million euros and from the Diaspora, Commissariat of the German bishops with a total of 3.944.158 million euros.
Stenert: What can we in this country of the faithful on the Island to learn?
Monsignor Austen: her open, uncomplicated and friendly way, how to share your Faith, even under adverse conditions with the heart of life and continue to wear. And that people of different cultures not only lead to bewilderment, but above all an are asset.
Dr. Ute Stenert is radio officer of the German bishops ‘ conference and Executive Director of the Catholic radio, – working in Bonn. For over 20 years, she is a freelance writer for different media.
Editorial responsibility: Martin Cords, Catholic radio representative, and Alfred Herrmann