Priory of St. Wigbert

When Priorat Sankt Wigberti is an ecumenical Benedictine monastery in the form of a priory, which since the 1970s in Werning (Thuringia ) was established. The community lives according to the Rule of St. Benedict.

History

The monastery, which was founded within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thuringia, contributes, as well as the church the name of the holy Wigbert. For the Community shall include Protestant and Roman Catholic men. At times, even orthodox brothers live there. Four times a day the Liturgy of the Hours is prayed. 1987, the rule and the Order of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thuringia was approved as the first Benedictine after the Reformation in Germany.

Prior of the monastery and former Lutheran parish priest is a native of East Prussia Franz Schwarz. He was in second-chance education minister, after he had exercised a crafting profession. He chose Werningshausen out of three offered him pastors, since church and rectory made ​​here to desolatesten impression on him. Black is in addition to his spiritual duties also an artist.

In the period from May to October 2009 Pastor Black was from his functions as a minister within the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM ) on leave, as it should be checked whether its consecration on 25 April 2009 to the bishop of the High Church apostolate Saint Ansgar against order of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany in violation. Was initiated the process by Bishop Christoph Kähler, which at that time was three days before leaving office.

The leave of the Prior triggered an unexpected press coverage and the protest by members of the congregations and friends of the monastery. In discussions with the church leadership of the newly established state church means Germany could misunderstandings resolved and the conflict be settled amicably. Were also made calls for theological work-up of the facts.

As a result, first the disciplinary chamber was declared the territory of the former Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thuringia October 13, 2009, the leave of absence and void and canceled according to the resolution. Furthermore, an agreement between the State Church and Prior Black was closed, in which the situation was illustrated explanatory. Since 2010, Prior Black is a pastor retired, but still serves the parish Werningshausen.

The pastor -less since 1967 and left to decay given village church of St. Wigbert ( nave from 1773 to 1776, the church tower in 1841 ) was rebuilt from 1973 by the monks, re-consecrated in 1974 and serves as a parish and monastery church. On the no longer used as a cemetery churchyard there are also a Lady Chapel from 1984 and historical grave stones. The monastery building with a small oratory were built since 1989 in sections. The historic rectory - in a dilapidated condition - had been restored already in the 1970s by the brothers. 1992 was inaugurated among the population with strong participation solemnly the first phase of construction of the monastery. 2000 was the consecration of the second phase. In the Lady Chapel also prayed Soviet soldiers from the helicopter base in Haßleben, which, however, were betrayed after some time to the national security, the military barracks no longer allowed to leave and its subsequent whereabouts was unknown. This event and the ecumenical aspirations of the brothers was such a meaning given to that monastery also has a small onion tower was reminiscent of an Orthodox dome. In 2001, the six-part peal of church could be completed. It is considered "the most beautiful bells in Thuringia ".

Quotes

" Very much damage suffered by the Church 1967-1973, when the pastorate was vacant. Many historical documents were destroyed, the church and the parsonage offered a miserable and abandoned sight. That changed in 1973, when began the renovation of the church with the arrival of the first three brothers in the rectory. [ ... ] Werningshausen won by the founding of the monastery undoubtedly appeal. It was a bumpy and difficult road, for here stood the church and rectory in 1973 the demolition closer than to rebuild. "

The brothers took part in 27 years, the reconstruction of 29 other houses of worship, which were for the most part in a dilapidated condition.