Arthur Kreinheder

Father Arthur Carl Kreinheder, C.S.C. (October 1, 1905 - October 13, 1989) was an American Lutheran Benedictine monk and founder of a Lutheran religious order, The Congregation of the Servants of Christ.

After a successful career as a businessman, Kreinheder went 1950 to study theology at Lund University in Sweden. Already before he had been in touch with Taizé Community in formation. Briefly, in 1955, he became a novice in the Community of Taize.

Kreinheder was ordained to priesthood in 1956 in Lund by Bishop Anders Nygren and Bishop Gustaf Aulen "for ecumenical work in the United States among Lutherans."

"The Congregation of the Servants of Christ", a Lutheran Benedictine community, was established at St. Augustine's House in 1958 when some other men joined Father Arthur in observing the monastic life and offices of prayer. Through father Arthur there was right in the beginning a connection with Östanbäck Monastery in Sweden after its foundation. Father Arthur was involved in Christian ecumenism an he was the U.S. secretary of the League for Evangelical-Catholic Reunion.

Literature

*Don Ranly: "Vigil for Unity, The Story of Fr. Arthur Kreinheder, C.S.C., Lutheran Monk," Pio Decimo Press, St. Louis, MO, 1964.

External links

* [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,829997,00.html?promoid=googlep The Lonely Lutheran Monk] . Time, Friday, Mar. 01, 1963
* [http://www.staugustineshouse.org/history.html Viewpoint of a Friend. A Brief History of Saint Augustine's House] by George Weckman
* [http://www.staugustineshouse.org/Special%20Events/Fr%20Arthur%20October%20Flyer.pdf Centennial of the Birth of Fr. Arthur Carl KreinhederOctober 1st, 1905-2005] with picture of Fr Arthur