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Please find some information on the entrusted countries and areas by Switzerland.
What began in 1895 in a small meeting place in Zurich has, in little more than
100 years, expanded to a working area which covers 15 countries in
Europe and one overseas.
On this page you will find some facts & figures and
information on the development and
expansion. Information for the European Regional Churches
can be obtained by clicking on the particular country name on the map.
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Last updated: 01/01/05
- Almost all of the Regional Churches cared for by the New Apostolic Church Switzerland are legally registered either as an Association or a corporate body of public laws.
- District Apostle Armin Studer
is the head of the New Apostolic Church Switzerland and the
countries assigned to it.
He is assisted by 7 Apostles and 8 Bishops. - His working area:
- extends over 16 countries,
- comprises 61 districts, each being headed by a district leader,
- consists of 635 congregations,
- registers 56’707 members,
- has 3'405 ministers under his direction, most of whom serve on an honorary basis,
- and is administratively supported by a staff of 60 people in the main office located in Zurich and small "satellite" offices in many other countries.
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Already in the early days the New Apostolic Church was introduced into countries surrounding Switzerland. It started in the German countries of the Saar, Alsace-Lorraine and the Palatinate and thanks to the intensive missionary work soon stretched from Budapest (Hungary) over Vienna in the East to Paris in the West as well as Marseille and Nice in the South of France.
The development of the New Apostolic Church in Austria is closely linked to the development in Switzerland. Its beginning was quite difficult because religious freedom was introduced only after World War I. Soon thereafter, regular divine services could be held in Vienna and Innsbruck. From there and regions on the Swiss border, the New Apostolic faith could spread all over Austria.
Shortly thereafter, initial contacts were made in the northern part of Italy, Spain and the former Yugoslavia. Divine services have been conducted in Barcelona and Milan since the early 1950’s. Out of these congregations the New Apostolic faith slowly developed, often aided by people who, having become New Apostolic while working in Switzerland, returned to their home countries. The congregations that developed were served from Switzerland until local members could be entrusted with the work on the souls.
The political situation in Eastern Europe made the spreading of the Christian faith difficult.
These conditions changed only after
big political revolutions in the late 1980’s. From this time on there has been a
tremendous growth in Romania and Moldova.
In several other areas of Europe as well as overseas the missionary activities of the
last year were crowned by success. Particularly on Crete (Greece), in Russia, Ukraine,
Nicaragua and also in Gabon the New Apostolic faith could be spread.
Over the time, because of growth, restructuring
or political influences, some regions were made independent Regional Churches, switched into
the jurisdiction of another area or were added to the Regional Church of Switzerland.
Today’s expansion covers besides Switzerland and Austria also Spain, Italy, Romania and other Eastern European countries. On January 1st 2005 they totalled, including the assigned territories, 56’707 members. They are cared for by 8 Apostles and 8 Bishops assisted by a further 3'405 Ministers. Three Apostles come from Switzerland and one each from Austria, Italy, Moldova, Spain and Rumania. Amongst the Bishops four are Swiss, two Austrian and two Rumanian.
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The following countries and areas are attached to the New Apostolic Church of Switzerland:
| Country | Memb | Responsible for spiritual care |
| Andorra | 10 | Apostle Erhard Suter |
| Austria | 5'075 | Apostle Rudolf Kainz, Bishop Josef Bleckenwegner, Bishop Johann Trimmal |
| Bulgaria | 458 | Apostle Rudolf Kainz, Bishop Johann Trimmal |
| Croatia | 146 | Apostle Rudolf Kainz, Bishop Johann Trimmal |
| Czech Republick | 334 | Apostle Rudolf Kainz, Bishop Johann Trimmal |
| Gibraltar | 5 | Apostle Erhard Suter |
| Hungary | 393 | Apostle Rudolf Schneider, Bishop Hans-Jörg Sigrist |
| Italy incl. San Marino | 2'195 | Apostle Orando Mutti |
| Moldova | 4'049 | Apostle Semion Cazacu, Apostle Rudolf Kainz, Bishop Josef Bleckenwegner |
| Rumania | 6'672 | Apostle Vasile Cone, Bishop Iulian Radulescu, Bishop Gheorghe Sapintan, Bishop Hanspeter Nydegger, Bishop Jean-François Perret |
| Slovenia | 44 | Apostle Rudolf Kainz, Bishop Johann Trimmal |
| Spain incl. the Balearics, Canary Islands and exclaves | 2'095 | Apostle Erhard Suter |
| Switzerland incl. Haute-Savoie (F), Liechtenstein | 34'748 | see NAC Switzerland, page Organisation |
| Overseas | 483 | Apostle Erhard Suter |