The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1957-09-06

Monastery Is Reunion Center
Of 'LiveIy I~nterfaith Studies
by Erik. v. KuehneIf-L eddihn

A few days ago / visited a monastery in Lower Bavaria, a
new and yet old place overlooking the Danube and not too. far
from the Iron Curtain. 1t was an experience I wished a great many
of my American friends could share because there they could
find so many European religious problems convergng In sharp
relief in one and the same place.
Niederaltaich Monastery was founded by the Benedictines in
the eighth century and it flourished until the fateful year of 1903
when a large number of monasteries and converts were confis-
Gated by the Bavarian government which was then in control
of men who wanted to c1rtail religious life and to make subserv-
lent to the state whatever remained. The monks were given a life
pension. The beautiful, immense church, rebuilt In the 18TH CEN
tury was placed under the care of the village priest. The building
were partly given as abodes to civil servants and partly were torn
down by the peasants to provide them with building material Tor
their houses This tragic course of events, however, was by no
means isolated and countless monasteries and converts were thus
destroyed against the helpless protest of the local populations.
The governments partly under Napoleonic influence, wanted to
be progressive" and enlightened" Religion they we're only will
ing TO tolerate as a pous pastime on Sundays. NO wonoer tnat
the 10Th century marks the low point in the life OF the Catnohc
Church in Europe.
1t needed the horrors of the First World War that people in
large numbers, comprising the finest spirits and MINDS, resuInea
to religion. Even before the war ended, in the summer of 1918.
a sum had been raised in order to buy back whatever renamed
of Niederaltaich Abbey. The Benedictines sent a few Fathers
from nearby Metten and slowly new life sprung up among the
ruins. Yet the renaissance of Neideraltalch only gained rai no
mentum after Germany had gone through the agonles OF Nazlsm
and the Second Warld War. The new prosperity also made pos
sble the raising Of considerable sums of money: all demohshed
parts were reconstructed in their CexternaD pristine forms ana z
boarding Gymnasium (high-schoolco[ege) if now working tull
swing. There are thirty fathers and forty brothers and their num-
Der is increasing constantly. Still, to be quite frank, the monas-
tery's fame has little to do with the excellent school, or with tne
gorgeous church, it is due to the fact that Niederaltaich is the
very center of the Reunion movement, the Una sancta1 associa-
ton Of Germany. One should not, of course, in this connectlon
forget Meitingen Convent, inhabited by the Sisters of the Chris
tan Community, an order founded by Father Paul Metzeer, VINO
was beheaded by the Nazis in 1894. mere tne quarterly W.
Una Sancta" is published.
The editorinchief of this review, however, Father Thomas
Sartory OSB, a young Benedictine of only 80 years, lives and WORKS
in Neideraltaich. In his study one can see the portraits OF st.. bene-
dict and Martin Luther. He frequently disputes with Evangeiicals
over the Munich Radio and is a man of tremendous vitality, car
iy. and learning. Niederaltaich Monastery; literally rising from
the ruins, is a lively center of interfaith encounters during Vaca-
tions when the Students dormitories become available for guests.
One of the fathers has joined the Byzantine rite and several OF
the novices followed him on this path. There is a chapel equipped
for the "Holy Liturgy" Mass of the Eastern Rite and during
interfaHh conferences the Holy Eucharist is removed from the
students chapel and Evangelical services are held in 1t. common
pray.- meetings viii vigorously established texts are also sched-
uIed for the members of the different denominations. 1t is prayer,
meditation. research Tin a special library, and discussion wncn
form the essence of reunion activities. AT larger meetings the num-
her of Catholics and Evangelicals is carefully balanced, as Is the
number of priests, ministers, and laymen. Women TOO attend ana
there are double rooms for married couples. One difficulty re-
mains: the Evangeicals resent the presence of converts among the
Catholics. yet, at the same time, it is obvious that converts VIII
have a burning, very personal interest in the problem OF Reunion.
One leaves Niederaltaich with a deep sense of gratitude To-
ward God who permitted its rise from the ashes. Little old the
petty rulers and bureaucrats of Bavaria imagine that the flame
they thought to have extinguished $50 years. ago would burn To-Day
with more light and warmth than ever before and would be telt
far beyond the limits of the Catholic Church OF Germany.