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Missions and other Christian organizations

Last modified: 2006-03-11 by martin karner
Keywords: christian | mission | christian organizations | gemeinschaft | catholic | protestant |
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Gemeinschaft Katholischer Soldaten (Germany)

On the Flaggenkunde list Winfried Schrödter sent in this picture. It's from the German army's intranet homepage of the "Gemeinschaft Katholischer Soldaten" (Community of Catholic Soldiers). On their homepage http://www.kath-soldaten.de/ they describe themselves as a free network of laic Christians in the Catholic Church of Germany, an association offering moral orientation and spiritual home for:

  • Catholics in the army,
  • Soldiers in the Catholic Church and
  • Catholic soldiers in state and society; and it wants to take influence on social developments.

    The picture shows an interesting flag graphic, a flag consisting only of words. The flag staff consists of the idiomatic expression Das haben wir uns auf die Fahne geschrieben (lit. „We have written this on our flag“), i.e. these are our ideals, principals, goals etc. The mottoes on the flag are, from top: Im Glauben verwurzelt – Rooted in faith; Für Recht und Freiheit – For justice and freedom; Sittlich gebunden – Morally bound; Politisch gebildet – Politically educated; Fachlich kompetent – professionally competent; Gewissenhaft im Gehorsam – Conscientious in obedience; Dem Frieden verpflichtet – Obligated to peace; Offen für Gleichgesinnte – Open for like-mindeds; Um Zusammenarbeit bemüht – Endeavored for co-operation; Ökumenisch aufgeschlossen - Ecumenically open-minded.

    On the right side of the flag there’s a short declaration about the principles which I translate as: “Our guiding principles | Ideals are like stars. You can see them but you can’t reach them. And yet: they guide you home.”

    On the right top corner there’s the red logo, containing the white letters GKS. The logo is explained at http://www.kath-soldaten.de/Kreuz/kreuz.html, in my translation: “The cross of the GKS | The cross of the GKS is the symbol of the Community of Catholic Soldiers. Four circles, as a symbol for the GKS circles at the basis, form a cross in a bigger circle, which symbolizes the Community. [Under this cross] rally the Catholic soldiers. | The GKS cross allows another interpretation: The cross of the military pastoral care is being merged with the Iron Cross of the army. By this means there’s made a synthesis as a symbol for 'Christian and soldier'".

    The flag (LOB) which can be seen here or at http://tinyurl.com/cvldq, shows the red logo on square white field, surrounded as a circle of the association’s name.
    Martin Karner, 9 February 2006


    Italian Byzantine Rite Catholic Mission of Our Lady of Grace (New York, USA)

    The society's banner can be seen at http://www.byzantines.net/OurLadyofGrace/two.JPG.
    Ned Smith, 29 January 2006