Associations do not always develop uniformly in an upward direction – Adolph Kolping had this experience also when he founded the first Journeymen’s Societies. This was also the case in Sri Lanka, where after an initial period of growth and the founding of various Kolping Families, a number of challenges came to light, with the result that hardly any new projects could be initiated in recent years.
During his journey through Sri Lanka, the main task of General Secretary Dr. Markus Demele. was therefore to see for himself what the situation is and what is possible. In discussions with Kolping Families, with the protector of Kolping Sri Lanka Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera O.S.B. and with other bishops, he got an idea of which steps can be taken together for the further development of the association. Kolping members in Sri Lanka were promised support from Kolping India, the large neighbouring association which, with its almost 40,000 members, can look back on a successful history of growth.
