Histories of some European MCFs
"The MEP - Militares Evangélicos de Portugal, were founded in 1994 as a result of prayers of Major José Almeida and his wife Mirtes (Brasil) and Lt Col Samuel Cóias and his wife Lídia (Portugal). We have had the first meeting in 18th September 1994 in Lisbon with the Almeidas and with a number of Portuguese military believers with whom we had contact. In October 1994 Major Cóias and Lídia, represent Portugal for the first time at the AMCF World Conference at Virginia Beach. The second meeting took place in Air Base Nº1 in Sintra, with Major General Clay Buckingham and wife Clara. Since then we have been gathering people at a number of informal meetings and have taken part in Bible distributions in military units with personal testimony. A formal constitution has been prepared and we are hoping that our official recognition will be authorised very soon."
Samuel and his late wife, Lidia, at the 1994 AMCF World Conference
It is understood that there was some kind of a Christian fellowship among soldiers in Belgium after the First World War, but we lack more details. Likewise we are aware that the Chief Protestant Chaplain, the Reverend Marichal de Rennerfelt held a number of meetings and attempted to establish a military fellowship in the 1960s and 70s but this was never formally established. Thus the Belgian MCF was officially founded on 29th May 1999 in Brussels (Evere) at the HQ of the Belgian Armed Forces. It was Lt Col Cal Benedict of the US Armed Forces who was the inspiring force to start a MCF. Afterwards we were told that especially the MCF of the UK had been praying for a fellowship in Belgian. With our 80 members we want to integrate faith and profession with excellence.
The Union des Militaires Chretiens de France (UMCF) was formed in 1986, years after a contact between an American officer serving in France and a French officer. The fellowship is open to Christians of all denominations who believe that the Canon Scriptures of the Bible are the only foundation for our faith.
We are presently around 80 members, consisting of active and retired military people, as well as civil servants of the Ministry of Defence. Most are Navy members.
Under the provisions of French laws, our MCF works independently of the authorities, and receives no official support or participation. We maintain nevertheless, whenever the occasion arises, fruitful cooperation with the chaplaincy on an individual basis (joint meetings onboard and ashore).
There were changes within our Fellowship in the first half of 2003. The founders, Colonel André Valliccioni (President) and ICETA Hervé Corre (Vice-President) officially retired and handed over the leadership to a group of younger men. Philippe Chazy (TSEF Défense) became the President and Olivier Chizat (Premier Maître), Vice-President. As a council member, Pascal Maurel, along with his wife Sharon, were given the responsibility of maintaining contact with overseas French and English-speaking fellowships. Michael Jacquet (Second Maître) was given the responsibility for contacts with our German and Italian-speaking brothers and sisters.
We are presently around 80 members, consisting of active and retired military people, as well as civil servants of the Ministry of Defence. Most are Navy members.
Under the provisions of French laws, our MCF works independently of the authorities, and receives no official support or participation. We maintain nevertheless, whenever the occasion arises, fruitful cooperation with the chaplaincy on an individual basis (joint meetings onboard and ashore).
There were changes within our Fellowship in the first half of 2003. The founders, Colonel André Valliccioni (President) and ICETA Hervé Corre (Vice-
Hervė Corre and Andrė Vallicioni - founders of UMCF
The „Cornelius-Vereinigung" Christians in the Armed Forces of Germany
An Initiative of Christians in German Armed Forces for more than 100 years. In Germany the first meeting of military Christians occurred in Berlin on 4th March 1898 under the leadership of Lieutenant General Georg von Viebahn. In close cooperation with military chaplains, these meetings continued in the frame of a loose organisation. General Graf Kanitz was engaged in this initiative since 1932. During World War 2 meetings of Militrary Christians were impossible, General Graf Kanitz maintained contacts through letters, distributed to the members of the „Sternbriefkreis". About 30 letters were distributed during the period 1940 - 1944 to more than 300 Officers and NCOs. At the end of World War 2, military Christians in the Western Allied forces looked for military Christians in the German armed forces. The Sternbriefkreis was discovered and the members were tasked with the care of the religious welfare of prisoners of war.
This event was the initial international contact for German military Christians. The contacts were enlarged on low level, after the rearmament of the FRG, the German Officers Christian Fellowship has been established, international contacts occurred immediately. In 1961 representatives of the German Officers Christian Union initially participated in an International conference of military Christians in Berchtesgaden.
In close cooperation with the protestant military chaplaincy the „Christliche Offiziervereinigung" continued to encourage military Christians in the German Armed Forces. In 1976 membership was opened to all ranks and the name changed to „Cornelius-Vereinigung" - Christians in the Bundeswehr.
In close cooperation with the protestant military chaplaincy the „Christliche Offiziervereinigung" continued to encourage military Christians in the German Armed Forces. In 1976 membership was opened to all ranks and the name changed to „Cornelius-
In 1990 after the reunification of Germany the Cornelius-Vereinigung was confronted with new challenges in taking care of soldiers in garrisons in former East Germany. A Travelling Team has been engaged to visit garrisons in East Germany, to inform about Christian perspectives in the Armed Forces and to invite soldiers and their families to different meetings and retreats.
The reduction of the Bundeswehr and military engagement abroad cause in the meantime difficulties in performance of the task of the Cornelius-Vereinigung, the members of the „Cornelius-Vereinigung" however remain convinced, that Christians in the German Armed Forces are an essential partner to soldiers and their families also in the future.
CoV has long been active in AMCF. Here are the members who attended the 1976 AMCF World Conference at Massanetta Springs
Gemeinschaft Katholischer Soldaten
In addition to the CoV, there is a thriving Military Christian Fellowship of Roman Catholic soldiers, officers and retired military. We hope to include a history of this fellowship in due course. See the Links page.
In addition to the CoV, there is a thriving Military Christian Fellowship of Roman Catholic soldiers, officers and retired military. We hope to include a history of this fellowship in due course. See the Links page.
History of the Albanian MCF
Llike all other former Communist countries, when the Berlin Wall fell, Albania, ruled for 50 years by a Communist regime, was the final country to embrace democracy. The first years of democracy were the most difficult time for Albania and Albanian Armed Forces, but thanks to the God’ will and love, we overcame that difficult situation.
In that situation, a group of Albanian Christian military, even with no experience, listened to the God and sought in 1991 how to announce the Gospel among Albanian Armed Forces. Albanian people and Armed Forces were denied the right of religion belief by the former regime, that is why we had to work very hard, facing many difficulties, in a former atheistic country. But we had God’s will and love and the assistance of foreign missionaries. First activities included meetings, preachments and Gospel announcement, as well as meeting with high leaders of Albanian Armed Forces and Government.
The first time we participated in an international event was the AMCF Euroseminar in Hungary, in March 1994. In June 1994 we participated in an event in France with a group more concentrated and matured. Visits to Finland, Netherlands, the USA for the 1994 AMCF World Conference, in Canada,
Llike all other former Communist countries, when the Berlin Wall fell, Albania, ruled for 50 years by a Communist regime, was the final country to embrace democracy. The first years of democracy were the most difficult time for Albania and Albanian Armed Forces, but thanks to the God’ will and love, we overcame that difficult situation.
In that situation, a group of Albanian Christian military, even with no experience, listened to the God and sought in 1991 how to announce the Gospel among Albanian Armed Forces. Albanian people and Armed Forces were denied the right of religion belief by the former regime, that is why we had to work very hard, facing many difficulties, in a former atheistic country. But we had God’s will and love and the assistance of foreign missionaries. First activities included meetings, preachments and Gospel announcement, as well as meeting with high leaders of Albanian Armed Forces and Government.
The first time we participated in an international event was the AMCF Euroseminar in Hungary, in March 1994. In June 1994 we participated in an event in France with a group more concentrated and matured. Visits to Finland, Netherlands, the USA for the 1994 AMCF World Conference, in Canada,
Great Britain, etc. by members of our group and the assistance provided by members of AMCF and various countries brought about the foundation of the Albanian MCF. In the European Conference of AMCF in 1966, 5 members of Albanian delegation participated and informed Maj Gen Sir Laurence New that we had submitted to the Albanian Ministry of Justice documents applying for registration of our MCF. We had the support of the Ministry of Defence. The Government authorised our MCF in August 1996. We informed Sir Laurence New and at the Asian AMCF Conference, in October 1996, he welcomed us to the family. I received our certificate of membership of AMCF.
We intensified our activity and in cooperation with Sir Laurence New planned a Euroseminar to be held in Albania in April 1997. Sadly national events prevented this happening. Rioting led to the arsenals of military units being forced open and weapons and ammunitions were taken by the population. This was a major set-back nationally and for our MCF but we hoped that we will in time be able to host a Euroseminar here in Albania.
Spiro Kalemi,
We intensified our activity and in cooperation with Sir Laurence New planned a Euroseminar to be held in Albania in April 1997. Sadly national events prevented this happening. Rioting led to the arsenals of military units being forced open and weapons and ammunitions were taken by the population. This was a major set-
Spiro Kalemi,
