Diaconesses Become Global Agents

Abstract

How can we understand the transnational impact on the foundation of the Norwegian deaconess motherhouse? The Lovisenberg DeaconessHouse in Norway was established in 1868 in Christiania (now Oslo), and was influenced both by Fliedner in Kaiserswerth and Löhe in Neuendettelsau. In management and structure it followed the Fliednerian motherhouse system inKaiserswerth,while the theoretical curriculumwas highly influenced by Löhe and the nursing education of theNeuendettelsau deaconesses. TheNorwegian deaconesses’ motherhouse has an international perspective.Mother Superior, Cathinka Guldberg, was educated at the Kaiserswerth Deaconess Motherhouse . The head teacher of the theoretical curriculum, Rikke Nissen, was educated both at the Kaiserswerth Deaconess Motherhouse and at the Neuendettelsau Deaconess Motherhouse. As a writer, Nissen cultivated an interest in the work of deaconesses all over the world, as well as publishing her own writings, both in Norway and inGermany.Drawing inspiration from the firstDeaconesses in the early Christian church as well as from Pastor Löhe, who founded the modern deaconess movement in Neuendettelsau, Rikke Nissen broke away from the traditional role of 19th century women in her international correspondence and writing in the fields of nursing and theology.

Keywords

• diaconal history
• transnational impact
• education
• gender perspective