About the IDC

History of the IDC

1951 Young social workers establish the first diaconate group in Freiburg, with the aim of becoming married and ordained permanent deacons in the Catholic Church to serve the needy.
1952 The diaconate group publishes its first new bulletin; which appears occasionally until 1966.
1954 The establishment of another diaconate group in Munich.
1955 First international contacts.
1958 Gradual organisation of diaconate groups in other countries (eg Germany, France, Austria, Latin America)
1959 Consolidation of various activities into the International Diaconate Circle, based in Freiburg.
1962 Petition to all Bishops at the Second Vatican Council for the restoration of the Diaconate.
1965

Rome : International Study Conference on the deacon in the Church and World of today.
Foundation of International Information Centre based in Freiburg for questions on the diaconate.

1966 First issue of the periodical DIACONIA CHRISTI.
During the following years active collaboration in the renewal of the diaconate in different countries.
1969 Reorganisation of the tasks and structures, and renaming of the office as the Internationales Diakonatszentrum (IDZ) - International Diaconate Centre (IDC).
1992 Transfer of the IDC to Rottenburg (near Stuttgart).
1995 Celebration of 30 years of the IDC.