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New Protestant vicar looks forward to working with young people

For the last twelve years Roland Hadorn has been vicar to the protestant community in the skiing resort of Klosters in the canton of Grisons. Since1 January he has been settling into new surroundings after taking up an appointment in Rotkreuz (the photpgraph shows its Protestant church).
 
Speaking from his new office in Kirchenstrasse, Hadorn said he was not a stranger to the area, as his wife used to live in Stans in the canton of Nidwalden. "I often used to pass through Rotkreuz, but I never thought I would end up working here," he said. "What is decisive for me in where you work is the job itself and the people. Of course there is always an element of uncertainty when moving to a new parish but I always try to be positive and do my best."
 
There are some 1,600 Protestants in Rotkreuz and, as in Klosters, Hadorn will be teaching religious studies to senior pupils in the locality and instructing those preparing for confirmation. "I enjoy teaching," he said, "and I am looking forward to re-organising youth work in the parish." To this end he intends to make use of the training he received in a psychological counsellor, too. Hadorn is also hoping to work alongside the Catholic community with regard to youth work. "I have put out a few feelers," he said, " and these have shown that there is interest from their side." He feels this is of increasing importance with the current diminishing interest in both the Protestant and Catholic Church.
 
Hadorn said that his parents, like many families, went to church for baptisms and funerals, but otherwise his own background was not particularly religious. "It was only later that I noticed my father had a deep faith in God. From the vicar's own experience when visiting the sick, he said very often people tended only to think about God when times were difficult.
 
"Many people prefer it when vicars do not try to proselytise but leave parishioners to lead a religious life which is right for them. Faith raises questions and provides answers throughout life.  I myself strive towards a modern theology based on the Bible and Protestant tradition yet including findings from science. In my life I feel it is important to answer morally and ethically to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost."
 
Whatever words Hadorn finds to express his belief, over the years he has been frequently requested to hold family services speaking in his native Bernese dialect.
 
 
 


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