Academic Boniface Association
Encyclopedia
The Academic Boniface Association (German: Akademische Bonifatius-Verein) was a German
Catholic youth organization for students at colleges and universities.
, followed in December 1867 by Breslau and Paderborn
These organizations' primary goal was to collect money and gather support for the German diaspora, the situation in which many German Catholics lived in predominantly Protestant areas and lacked appropriate financial, logistical, and organizational means for the proper execution of their faith. In 1871, they were able to build the first of a number of churches, a St. Pius church in Greifswald
, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. A second objective was the education of Catholic students, for which purpose lectures and meetings were held.
The different organizations unified in 1885 to form the Akademische Bonifatius-Verein. In 1914, the national organization counted 52 local chapters, a number which dwindled during World War I
to 40; there were chapters in Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg as well. Just before World War I, 30% of all Catholic students were members of the organization; 90% of its regular members were in the armed forces during the war.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Catholic youth organization for students at colleges and universities.
History
The Association originates from the unification of a number of smaller associations founded throughout Germany since 1865; the first of these was founded on 30 July 1867 in MünsterMünster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
, followed in December 1867 by Breslau and Paderborn
Paderborn
Paderborn is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, capital of the Paderborn district. The name of the city derives from the river Pader, which originates in more than 200 springs near Paderborn Cathedral, where St. Liborius is buried.-History:...
These organizations' primary goal was to collect money and gather support for the German diaspora, the situation in which many German Catholics lived in predominantly Protestant areas and lacked appropriate financial, logistical, and organizational means for the proper execution of their faith. In 1871, they were able to build the first of a number of churches, a St. Pius church in Greifswald
Greifswald
Greifswald , officially, the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald is a town in northeastern Germany. It is situated in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, at an equal distance of about from Germany's two largest cities, Berlin and Hamburg. The town borders the Baltic Sea, and is crossed...
, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. A second objective was the education of Catholic students, for which purpose lectures and meetings were held.
The different organizations unified in 1885 to form the Akademische Bonifatius-Verein. In 1914, the national organization counted 52 local chapters, a number which dwindled during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
to 40; there were chapters in Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg as well. Just before World War I, 30% of all Catholic students were members of the organization; 90% of its regular members were in the armed forces during the war.