60 years of FEECA: The European Federation for Catholic Adult Education is celebrating its anniversary
FEECA-Präsident Hubert Petrasch, Foto: Peter Rinnerthaler
“The European Federation for Catholic Adult Education (FEECA) is turning 60,” said FEECA President Hubert Petrasch at a ceremony on October 23rd in Vienna. A small group of invited guests gathered at Stephansplatz in the heart of Vienna to celebrate the FEECA anniversary together with the Austrian hosts.
Large contingent of prominent guests from education and religion for the Federation’s birthday
Among the prominent well-wishers were the Viennese auxiliary bishop Stephan Turnovsky, who took part on behalf of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, and Wilhelm Krautwaschl, bishop for adult education in the Austrian Bishops’ Conference, as well as Othmar Karas, 1st Vice President of the European Parliament and the former FEECA president Alois Becker as guest of honor.
During his speech, President Hubert Petrasch spoke of a “united Europe”. There are European programs such as Erasmus+ in which all member states of the European Union can participate on an equal basis. “At the same time, adult education across Europe is viewed primarily from the perspective of the labor market and professional qualifications, and Catholic adult education organizations tend to be less committed in this area,” says Petrasch. However, today more than ever, adult education should not only be seen under the guise of economic utility. “The devastating images and news from the war zones in Israel and Palestine currently show how important mindfulness, empathy and social understanding are in education,” the FEECA President also made a reference to current events.
60 years of commitment to church adult education
In his statement, Bishop Krautwaschl acknowledged “60 years of commitment to church adult education.” Nevertheless, according to Wilhelm Krautwaschl, the common Europe faces a variety of challenges: climate crisis, migration, the war in Ukraine and thus in the middle of Europe, a strengthening of nationalism, an increasingly difficult economic situation after the pandemic and as a result of the war in Ukraine. Finally, the church transformation process after numerous cases of abuse in the church became known across Europe, due to the declining number of church members and the resulting increasingly difficult financial situation, but also increasing polarization within the church.
Auxiliary Bishop Stephan Turnovsky emphasized that educational work and thus also Catholic adult education is and remains the core task of the church.
According to Turnovsky, what constitutes Catholic adult education with its wide range of topics is a Christian view of the world and humanity. The focus is always on the individual person in their uniqueness. But he/she is not alone, but always in a relationship: with himself/herself – with his/her fellow human beings – and with God. These relationships constitute the special quality of Catholic adult education and clearly show its social impact, said the auxiliary bishop.
EU-Parlaments-Vizepräsident Othmar Karas, Foto: Peter Rinnerthaler
As part of a video message, Othmar Karas sent “warm greetings from Brussels” and sent “congratulations on 60 years of the European umbrella organization for Catholic adult education!” This special anniversary not only represents a long history, but also a fulfilled commitment to education within the framework of our European Community. Education makes an invaluable contribution to a united Europe, said Karas in his statement. The First Vice-President of the European Parliament particularly emphasized the promotion of fundamental values such as respect, tolerance, solidarity and social responsibility.
Dialogue is essential, as it helps the European Union to develop and deepen.
At the end of his greeting, Othmar Karas, in his own words a “believing Christian, a convinced Austrian and a cosmopolitan European,” recalled that “Christianity and Europe are inseparably linked” and wished FEECA many more successful years of education, dialogue and… of commitment to a united Europe!
Catholic adult education should be socially effective
The FEECA is active throughout Europe, with Austria having held an important position for years and, after Erika Schuster and Karl Kalcsics, Hubert Petrasch currently holds the presidency for the third time.
In many German-speaking countries, including Austria, Catholic adult education traditionally plays a major role. The focus is based on contemporary questions and needs of society. Because: “I think that everyone working in Catholic adult education fundamentally agrees that Catholic adult education should be socially effective,” said the current FEECA President.
For joint, Europe-wide action, Petrasch sees “the need for exchange and joint reflection on Catholic adult education work.” FEECA is an ideal organizational framework for this.
FEECA conference in Cluj-Napoca
From April 17th to 19th, 2023, colleagues from four member countries met for this year’s FEECA conference in Cluj (Romania). The conference’s main theme was “Hope through faith, avoiding fear through education”. A basic introduction to the topic was provided by Univ. Prof. Dr. Janos Vik, professor and long-time dean at the Catholic Theological Faculty of Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj and scientist at the South German Institute for Logotherapy and Existential Analysis. The approach of Viktor Frankl, the founder of logotherapy and existential analysis, takes a special look at the spiritual dimension of people and considers their existential striving for meaning in life as their primary motivational force. This approach is well suited for pastoral work and is compatible with the gospel’s view of humanity. Prof. Vik explained that for many years pastors in his diocese have been trained as pastoral companions on the basis of logotherapy and professionally accompany people in dealing with fear. Very practical educational examples were presented to us by Boglarka Peter, the managing director of the Pro Educatione network in Romania.
The initiatives to avoid fear through family programs were introduced to us by Bernadett Török, who heads the department for family pastoral care in the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia, which also includes the city of Cluj. Another presentation by Dr. Bodo Marta on numerous Catholic media offerings rounded off the impressive work of his colleagues in Romania.
We were also able to get to know a very interesting housing project run by the Congregation of Helpers for Young People in Cluj. Dr. Silvia Bereczik SA and Magdolna Tomka SA, both from the Congregation of Helpers, also designed a spiritual and very personal conclusion to the conference. Many thanks to our Romanian colleagues for organizing this great conference.
The Hungarian EU Parliament member György Hölvényi provided a greeting to the FEECA conference. It can be read here.
Hubert Petrasch is the new president of FEECA
At this year’s general meeting of FEECA (European Federation for Catholic Adult Education), Hubert Petrasch was elected as the new president. Petrasch is a theologist and educator. He works as managing director of the adult education department in the Archdiocese of Vienna and is deputy chairman of Catholic adult education in Austria. During his election, Petrasch emphasized the anticipation of working with the member organizations and at the same time reiterated the major challenges that adult education is currently facing in all European countries: “The corona pandemic and the enormous price increases caused by the energy crisis are making it difficult for adult education to achieve its goal to fulfill the order. It is all the more important that Catholic adult education and its offerings give people hope.”
Hubert Petrasch succeeds Alois Becker as FEECA President, who was no longer up for election after several terms in office.
Sándor Szakács from Romania and Andrea Heim from Germany will in future complete the executive board as vice-presidents.
Change of leadership in the Forum for Catholic Adult Education in Austria
On October 1, 2020, MMag. Bernd Wachter takes on the role of Federal Managing Director in the Forum for Catholic Adult Education. He follows Mag. Ernst Sandriesser, who has served as Federal Managing Director since 2018.
Read more here:
Role and cooperation of church educational institutions in shaping the Society of Romania
The specialist conference of the European Federation for Catholic Adult Education in Europe (FEECA) will take place in cooperation with the aid organization Renovabis from April 27th to 28th, 2020 in Cluj-Napoca. The program can be found here: Programm FEECA Fachtagung 2020
