In Mainz on 3rd and 4th of May, 2016, the constituent assembly of the Research Institute of the Carmelite Province of Germany took place. The Prior Provincial, Fr. Dieter Lankes presented certificates of appointment to the director of the institute, Edeltraud Klueting PhD, T.O.Carm. and to the members of the committee, Elisabeth Hense PhD T.O.Carm (assistant director), Christine Riedl-Valder PhD, Monika Storm PhD, Prof. P. D. D. Michael Plattig O.Carm. and Bro. Andreas H. Scholten PhD, O.Carm.
According to its statutes, the purpose and aim of the institute is the "scientific investigation of the history, spirituality, charism, culture and learning of the Carmelite order". To this end, scientific projects that examine the rich cultural heritage of the Carmelite order past and present, will be initiated, accompanied and completed. Besides the editing of publications on Carmelite topics, it is planned to organize and hold different events such as symposia, conferences, seminars etc. The newly founded Research Institute will also have the task of providing professional assistance by securing and making accessible the historical, artistic and cultural heritage of the German province (e.g. archives, libraries, treasures of art and cultural possessions) as well as engaging in co-operation with other Carmelite institutes (e. g. the Institutum Carmelitanum in Rome). The Research Institute is supported by the German Carmelite Province and is based in Bamberg.
The Provincial expressed his thanks to the director and the members of the committee: by their willingness to commit themselves in this way to the spiritual and cultural heritage of our order in Germany, he said, they were making an important contribution to the Carmelite Order's presence in church and society.
