Discovering the diversity of the Church

Exploring church buildings, gaining insights, finding exchange of information and inspiration:, the "Long Night of the Churches" is now taking place in the canton of Zug for the first time. The organisers see this as a great opportunity in terms of the perception of the Church.

An event that has been carried out regularly with great success in Austria for about 16 years was introduced in Switzerland for the first time in 2016: around 80 places of worship in the canton of Aargau, opened their doors to everyone – the "Lange Nacht der Kirchen (Long Night of the Churches)" offers a wide range of insights and shows what the church is. This is the perfect opportunity to discover the old and new, to trace tradition, to get to know the familiar and unfamiliar and to become involved in many surprises. Several cantons have since joined the campaign, and thousands of visitors have come each time.

Zug will be also doing this for the first time in 2021. On Friday, 28 May, more than 30 Catholic and Reformed churches and church centres, chapels and other venues will be open throughout the canton from 6 p.m. to midnight. In all of these, you are invited to participate in a many-sided programme, ranging from church tours and concerts, through meditations, readings for all generations, devotions, exhibitions and game rounds, up to readings of fairy tales, and dance and light shows.

Open to everyone and everything
One of the characteristics of the "Long Night of the Churches" is that it wants to appeal to all groups of the population without exception: art lovers, architecture enthusiasts, believers, non-denominationals, young, old – simply anyone who would like to get to know the Church without any obligations, compulsion, commitment and worries about making contact, or simply wants to expand their own horizons. And those who want to deal with sensitive church-internal topics that repeatedly cast their shadows on the Church and its reputation, and exchange ideas about these, will also find an opportunity to do so in this context.

Among others, the parish of St.Nikolaus in Oberwil is drawing attention to the big day through an illumination.
Photo: PD/Daniel Christen, Martin Riesen

Deacon Markus Burri, Head of Specialist Offices at the Catholic Church Zug, is responsible for the first Zug implementation of this internationally-known event. Together with the Rev. Manuel Bieler of the Reformed Church Baar, he has launched the "Long Night of the Churches" in the canton of Zug:

"The project convinced us in its entirety."

It was originally planned to participate as early as 2020, but the event had to be postponed until the following year due to the Corona pandemic. "The planning for this year has also turned out to be a bit of a tightrope walk, however, and all the events, both indoors and outdoors, have had to be prepared taking account of the current precautionary measures. What was particularly pleasing was that all the representatives of the parishes and parishes in Zug were thrilled that our canton would be taking part this year." For Markus Burri, it was also clear from the beginning that the Zug Reform churches would also participate in the "Long Night of the Churches". "Oecumenism is something that is self-evident and important in our canton," says Manuel Bieler.

Promoting the perception of the Church
According to the two initiators, one of the greatest hopes, and at the same time one of the main concerns of this large-scale action is that people will once again become more aware of the role of the Church. "The parishes and church communities occupy an important place in society," emphasizes Markus Burri. Unfortunately, there is too little awareness of what they actually do for the community, or that they fulfil an important social and charitable mission, whether in pastoral care as a place of rest and contemplation, or as a point of contact for people who are searching for something.

"Society seems to be becoming more superficial and has values that are very different nowadays. And, unfortunately, this also shapes the perception of the church," points out Burri. Bieler agrees and counters: "In fast-paced times like these, it takes a certain amount of calmness to find something more about yourself and to go into the depths."

The Church is happy to show the ways that are available in order to gain support and grounding. And the dialogue between churches and society is one of the most important aspects, adds Burri, who regrets the undeniable fact that churches are currently closer to a shadowy existence rather than to the position of an institution that is considered as vital by society. "We have to pick ourselves up and take action," says Markus Burri self-critically.

"We want to, and should present ourselves more openly, should actively go out and show what we are and what we are not, and what services we provide for society."

From the point of view of the two men, the "Long Night of the Churches" is a great opportunity to do just that.

They are also full of expectation: "An event of this size is something completely new for us," says Manuel Bieler. "And we are very excited about the reactions of the people and how they see everything." If the campaign proves successful, the canton of Zug will also wants to be involved next time. And the two organisers  already know this.

For more information, please visit www.langenachtderkirchen.ch, where all the are clearly listed events by canton (the website is in German).