Katholische Jugend im Bistum Fulda

The Katholische Jugend im Bistum Fulda (KJF) is a Roman Catholic youth association based in the Diocese of Fulda, Germany. It was founded in 1988 by Archbishop Johannes Dyba to provide a diocesan-led, explicitly Catholic alternative to the Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend (BDKJ), which Dyba considered too political and insufficiently aligned with Catholic doctrine. The KJF is recognized by the diocese as a provider of church youth work and supports parish-level youth activities, operating alongside BDKJ-affiliated groups. As of 2024, the KJF has approximately 350 members, while the diocesan BDKJ reaches about 6,800 children and young people. The association is led by an honorary board elected every three years; the current board, elected in September 2024, consists of Maryan Fetyan, Kira Vitrant, and Lena Franzke. A diocesan office staff member supports the board, and a priest serves as spiritual advisor (Präses), currently Togar Pasaribu. The KJF's motto is "fröhlich katholisch" (joyfully Catholic), emphasizing shared faith and community among young people.

The Katholische Jugend im Bistum Fulda (KJF) was founded in 1988 by Archbishop Johannes Dyba. The establishment of the association was the culmination of a conflict between Dyba and the Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend (BDKJ), which Dyba viewed as too political and, in his opinion, deviating from Catholic doctrine on certain positions. The founding was accompanied by the withdrawal of diocesan subsidies for the BDKJ in 1989. Despite extensive press coverage, the founding did not have the hoped-for nationwide signal effect for building an alternative Catholic youth structure. The KJF was created to be a diocesan-led, non-political youth association that clearly represents Catholic faith content. It is recognized in the Diocese of Fulda as a provider of church youth work and supports youth work in local parishes, complementing the BDKJ associations. As of 2024, the KJF has approximately 350 members, while the diocesan BDKJ reaches about 6,800 children and young people. The association is led by an honorary board elected every three years. The current board was elected in September 2024 and consists of Maryan Fetyan, Kira Vitrant, and Lena Franzke. The board is supported by a referent in the KJF diocesan office and spiritually accompanied by a priest as KJF Präses, an office held by Togar Pasaribu.

• 2024

  Current board elected in September; approximately 350 members

• 1989

  Diocesan subsidies for the BDKJ were withdrawn

• 1988

  Founded by Archbishop Johannes Dyba

A diocesan-led, explicitly Catholic youth association positioned as an alternative to the BDKJ, emphasizing faith formation and non-political engagement.

1. 1Willkommen | Katholische Jugend im Bistum Fuldakjf-fulda.de
2. 2Katholische Jugend im Bistum Fuldade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Katholische Jugend im Bistum Fuldawikidata.org