Sponsorship prize awarded at the Albertus Magnus Festival

In her master's thesis entitled "Catholics in the National People's Army – Between the crown of roses and the crown of ears", Weronika Vogel (Theology and Economics degree programme) examines the situation of Catholics in the basic military service of the National People's Army and asks whether they were internally torn between the crown of roses and the crown of ears. With her findings, Vogel enriches scholarship and the possibilities for reflection on the self-image of being Catholic in the GDR era, said Professor Jörg Seiler in his laudatory speech, which was read out by Tobias Hohenberger, Chairman of the Faculty Friends Association. The annual prize for the best thesis is endowed with 500 euros and was once again donated this year by the Friends of the Faculty of Catholic Theology.

The patronal celebration began on Friday morning with a church service in the cathedral. In his keynote speech "Life 3.0: Paradise in this world", Patrick Becker, Professor for Fundamental Theology and Religious Studies, spoke about the almost ubiquitous belief in technological progress as a modern deception. The decisive factor for the church is the extent to which this future narrative shifts the relationship between creator and creature and challenges theological reflection. Technical progress will not only change machines, but also people themselves. It is the bearer of a hope for the future, as can be seen across cultures. "Life 3.0" refers to a new creation that man himself has created and with which he wants to perfect himself. The creature, not the Creator, now takes the place of God. Becker said: "Life 3.0 is unquestionably a serious vision of salvation with a high potential for social impact that needs to be reflected upon theologically."