German diaspora
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 Münster, 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.