To the Kolping Community (15 November 1980)

On 15 November 1980, the Holy Father visited the Kolping Community in Cologne, and addressed them in the Church of the Friars Minor. 

Dear Kolping community!

The Cathedral [of Cologne], from which I am coming right now, has two imposing towers which rise to heaven as witnesses of faith. The church of the Friars Minor, which is as old as the cathedral, contains two spiritual towers of faith: the important theologian Duns Scotus and the great apostle of the church's social doctrine Adolph Kolping. Duns Scotus made the mystery of Mary's Immaculate Conception accessible to us and described its importance in the divine plan of salvation. This church was the first north of the Alps to be dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

Next to the thinker rests in this church Adolph Kolping, the pastor, the social apostle and the writer who addressed the people.

Adolph Kolping promoted man's conversion to his inner value, given to him by God, to be lived in the family, in the profession, in the Church, in the State and in society. His program goes like this: every single Christian changes the world if he lives as a Christian. Adolph Kolping lived in a time of political and social change. He knew that the individual, left to himself, could contribute very little to the improvement of social relations. Therefore he tenaciously started Catholic associations for apprentices, which have become today the international Kolping Opera.

In doing so he wanted to give security and protection to people who were in a difficult social situation.

When Adolph Kolping founded his first association for apprentices in Cologne, Karl Marx was also active in the same city. He called for revolution and class struggle, while Adolph Kolping wanted to change society through the Christian behavior of people.

The foundation of his work was the message of Christ and the Catholic social doctrine, which through his activity as a writer was widespread and received new impulses from him. I have come here to thank Adolph Kolping and the International Opera which bears his name and implements his program in a manner appropriate to the times, for their contribution to solving social problems. With great joy I heard that the Kolping Opera is now spread in 20 countries of the world and in recent times it has also expanded with great success in the Third World. I am particularly happy to know that in every place where young people adhere to your Work and allow themselves to be formed in its spirit, there is the witness of the announcement of the Good News of the Gospel.

I know of your great desire for the beatification of Father Kolping. To this end I would like to encourage you and bless your efforts. I repeat what I said here in 1978: "Today's Church needs leaders like Adolph Kolping."

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