Cloppenburg's new construction projects: Hope for the community despite criticism!

Cloppenburg's new construction projects: Hope for the community despite criticism!

In Cloppenburg, history is currently living: The newly designed parish home of the St. Andreas Church celebrated its opening, and the in the middle of an impressive investment of a total of 16 million euros for several construction projects around the church. Pastor Bernd Strickmann and the church committee have long discussed the need for these measures, because old, dilapidated buildings had to be replaced. In this sense, the new rectory is not only a practical space, but also fulfills a central function for the community, says Strickmann. The ceremonial handover by Bishop Felix Genn took place on a special Sunday, and the community was invited to visit the new home for numerous activities.

memory of Ernst Henn and Albert or

While the community is celebrating together in Cloppenburg, there is a dark shadow from the past. Ernst Henn and Albert O., two men with different life stories, were victims of the inhuman Nazi regime. Henn, known as Kaplan, bravely joined the injustices in his community and denounced the atrocities that took place during the pogrom night. His commitment to humanity was not without risk, and he paid for this with his life in April 1945. Albert O., who lived in Wehn, was sterilized against his will because his life was classified as "uncalcumed" by the National Socialists. Both men are tragic memories of the cruel reality of a regime in which humanity often fell by the wayside. These stories, as can be seen from the article by OM online, illustrate the importance of the establishment of new spaces in which future generations can learn what it means to respect the dignity of the individual.

The combination of the celebration for the new parish home and the memory of the victims of a dark time is not only an indication of the progress that the community makes, but also to the teachings that need to be drawn from history. The planned additional construction projects, including a media center and a consulting house for those in need, show the will to focus on people at the center of church and social activities. In Cloppenburg, not only a new institution is created, it is also a sign of forgetting where both joy and grief have their place. For further details and backgrounds for the opening of the parish home and the tragic stories of Henn and O., the articles of church and life and OM can be read online.

om online and Church and Life