History The first official Katholikentag festival was organized by
Adam Franz Lennig and held in
Mainz from 3 to 6 October 1848. The idea was a "general assembly of Catholic
society in Germany" (
Generalversammlung des katholischen Vereins Deutschlands), originally intended for delegates of the Catholic Church in Germany. The 87 delegates and about 100 visitors met with the aim of improving relations between the Catholic Church in Germany and the German
government. During the ensuing decades the Katholikentags increased in popularity and fame. They became an opportunity for Catholics to discuss and celebrate their
faith. Since then, the
Roman Catholic Church in Germany has become one of a set of
state religions. Katholikentag in Germany is now managed by the
Central Committee for German Catholics. It continues to be a cultural gathering for Germans of the Catholic faith, and major German
politicians and celebrities attend the event. During 1968, members of Katholikentag were among the dissidents and protesters of the encyclical
Humanae Vitae.
Katholikentag today Katholikentag is now a major national event in Germany. Although major Church officials have become involved with the celebration, it has remained a function of the German Catholic laity, and is not an official
ecumenical event, nor is it organized or mandated by the
clergy. The 100th
Katholikentag took place in
Leipzig in 2016. ==
Katholikentag in other countries==