On September 17, 2022, three friaries belonging to the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania were officially erected in Germany. The friaries are located in Grabenstätt, Chieming and Haar near Munich. The friars had already been living in Grabenstätt and Chieming for some years. They only recently arrived in Haar.
Each of the friaries houses three friars. The friars in Haar are Friar Gabriel BUDĂU, Guardian; Friar Dan-Ciprian VĂTĂMĂNELU; and Friar Mihai-Ciprian HORTOLOMEI. The friars in Chieming are Friar Marius BALINT, Guardian; Friar Gabriel-Anton FERENȚ and Friar Adrian COBZARU. The friars in Grabenstätt are Friar Vasile DIOR, Guardian; Friar Ioan LUPU and Friar Andrei MÎRŢ.
On Sunday, October 9, 2022, Friar Gabriel BUDĂU, was installed as the new pastor in Haar. The installation ceremony was presided over by the Most Reverend Rupert GRAF ZU STOLBERG, Auxiliary Bishop of München und Freising (Munich), Germany. The Minister Provincial of the Province of Romania, Friar Damian-Gheorghe PĂTRAŞCU, was also present.
After Friar Gabriel was ordained to the priesthood in 2006, he began ministering in Cologne, Germany. In 2011, he was transferred to the Chiemsee area in Germany. From 2016 to 2022, he led the parish in Chieming.
Similarly, on Sunday, October 16, 2022, Friar Vasile DIOR was installed as the new pastor of the Parish of St. Clare in Chieming and the parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Grabenstätt. The St. Clare Parish includes branch churches in Nußdorf, Hart and Ising. The St. Francis of Assisi Parish includes branch churches in Bergen, Vachendorf and Erlstätt. The other friars of the aforementioned communities are also pastorally involved in these parishes.
Friar Vasile came to these places for the first time in the autumn of 2011, shortly after his ordination to the diaconate in Roman, Romania. At that time, he was transferred with other friars from Romania to the rectory in Bergen, Germany. After his ordination to the priesthood in 2013, he was appointed Assistant Pastor of the churches in Bergen and Grabenstätt.
The installation of Friar Vasile as Pastor took place during two solemn Masses, one at the church in Chieming and the other at the church in Bergen. Those attending included the respective mayors, parish council members, and representatives of the parish administrations and various ecclesiastical associations. There was also a large group of altar servers.
Friar Vasile DIOR, Spokesperson for the Romanian friars in Germany
