Members

To become a member of SoFiA e.V.

Since an amendment in March 2014 it is also possible for natural (physical) persons to become a member with SoFiA e.V. This allows individual persons to work for SoFiA e.V. to support and actively participate in the association. If you are interested to enter into membership of SoFiA e.V., please fill out the form attached below and send it by post. The membership fee is still to determine and fixed by the General Assembly.

To enter into membership of SoFiA e.V., please fill out the application for membership (‘Antragsformular’) and send it to the specified address by post.

Application for membership

Our members included:

• Federation of German Catholic Youth Associations in the diocese Trier
• German St George’s Scout Association (DPSG) in the diocese Trier
• Catholic Federation of Rural Youth (KLJB) in the diocese Trier
• Kolping Society in the diocese Trier
• Pax Christi in the diocese Trier
• Catholic University Parish of Koblenz
• Young Catholics’ Parish (KJG)
• Young Catholic Students (KSJ) within the diocese of Trier
• Caritas Organisation of Mosel-Eifel-Hunsrück
• Brothers of Charity of Mary Help of Christians
• MJC/GCL Youth Association
• Working Association for Peace (AGF) in Trier
• “One World” Association in Wittlich
• Café Exodus, Saarbrücken
• Association of parishes Saarbrücken - Bübingen, Güdingen and Brebach-Fechingen
• Plus+ special agency for pastoral work for children and young people, Koblenz

For the diocese of Trier, SoFiA e.V. satisfies the requirements set by the Synod of Wuerzburg.  In return, the diocese provides part of the financing.  SoFiA is directed by the “Arbeitsstelle Soziale Lerndienste” (Office for Social Learning Services) in the diocese of Trier.  All associations, institutions, and organisations committed to the objectives of the association may become member organisations in SoFiA e.V.

About the Synod of Wuerzburg
As early as in 1975, the so-called Synod of Wuerzburg, the joint synod of all bishoprics in Germany, pleaded in favour of “Education for Peace” by which, among other things, the following objectives were pursued:

• “Preparedness to see the other person without bias, to get to know other groups and peoples and to accept them as being different;
• consideration for others’ needs and clarification of one’s own;
• breaking down of prejudices;
• change of attitudes and ways of behaviour endangering peace;
• ability to work together, compromise and agree;
• taking sides in favour of the disadvantaged;
• collaboration in overcoming states of injustice;”
• …

The Synod made a recommendation “…to prepare the founding of a new social service for peace and reconciliation and to provide it with the funds needed”. But is was not until the late 1980’s that the idea of such a service for peace and reconciliation in Germany was given a new impetus again. On 1 July 1986, an amendment to the German law on Community Service entered into force stating that recognised conscientious objectors could also fulfil their duty by an “alternative service abroad”. The Trier diocese’s office for conscientious objectors was then instructed to take charge of the further development of a “Social Service for Peace and Reconciliation” (SDFV).

Text snippets can be found here at the social learning services in the diocese of Trier.

Text excerpts of the Synod of Wuerzburg