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Hope in the Archdiocese of Hamburg: Bishop's letter inspires confidence!
In his episcopal letter from July 2025, Archbishop Heße addresses hope and challenges in northern Germany, encourages reflection and shares digital actions.
Hope in the Archdiocese of Hamburg: Bishop's letter inspires confidence!
At a time when uncertainty and fear are widespread in many places, Archbishop Dr. Stefan Heße today sent an open letter to around 260,000 households in the Archdiocese of Hamburg. In it he addresses the social, political and economic challenges that lie ahead of us. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza in particular are causing concern and fear among the population. The Archbishop highlights the importance of finding hope and confidence in these times of crisis. This happens not only through words, but also through rituals and the silence in sacred places, such as churches, where people can pause for a moment and organize their thoughts.
One of Heße's central proposals is the digital campaign “Holy Places,” which enables people to enter places that give them personal strength and hope. This collected information will flow together into an interactive map of healing places in Northern Germany. A video in which Heße speaks about his own holy places can also be found on the archdiocese's website. The campaign is part of the archdiocese's pastoral commitment, which is open not only to Catholics but also to all people in the region. Heße writes a letter to believers about two to three times a year.
Hope and community in the pilgrimage year 2025
In the context of this message of hope, the coming Holy Year 2025 is particularly important. This year's motto is “Pilgrims of Hope” and invites reflection and community exchange. The waves that can be seen in the logo symbolize the challenges of life and the pilgrimage that people walk together. The lower part of the cross is depicted as an anchor that acts against the waves of sorrow. The anchor stands for hope - a metaphor that is also known among sailors.
The themes of the pilgrimage year make it clear that personal fates and global events require a careful approach to hope. The church sees itself as a place where the focus is on biblical stories, songs and the proclamation of a God who gives hope. In these difficult times, it is essential that the church gives people a sense of security and perspective.
Hope as a spiritual force
The concept of hope also has deep biblical roots: it is often a “nevertheless hope” that remains even in difficult times. In community and by sharing experiences with these stories of hope, we can find new perspectives and leave behind the frustration of disappointed expectations.
Overall, we see a clear call for reflection and collective action in this uncertain time. It remains to be hoped that the Church's actions and the unifying nature of the pilgrimage year 2025 will give many people new confidence and accompany them on their journey.