Digitization and Data Protection

Münster, June 18, 2026. What considerations must be taken into account regarding digitization and data protection in archival work? This complex topic was the focus of today’s International Archival Conference hosted by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis.

The fourth day of the archival conference began with a keynote address from the Japanese Province. “The Lord’s mercy never ends”: With this central message, Provincial Superior Sister Maria Fidelis Furukawa referred to Psalm 136 and presented the participants with a video featuring meditative texts, photos, and music, which had been created by the Vietnamese Sisters of the Province.

In the morning, Lennart Metken, Deputy Director of the Diocesan Archives of Münster, spoke about the diverse digital challenges in archival work and presented options for organizing archives as well as for digitizing paper and photographic documents. Even simple measures, such as standardizing the naming conventions for photos and documents and ensuring they reflect their content, can significantly improve the discoverability of archival materials.

Frank Kunz, the Generalate’s Data Protection Officer, received a warm round of applause right at the start of his presentation when he welcomed all international participants in their respective languages—German, English, Polish, Japanese, and Hindi. He provided a comprehensive and clear explanation of the origins, purpose, and fundamental legal aspects of data protection. “People are at the heart of data protection,” he emphasized, noting that the churches play a pioneering role in data protection: “The history of data protection began with the seal of confession, which was established in 1215 at the Fourth Lateran Council.” In principle, according to Frank Kunz, the disclosure of personal data is not permitted; however, there are exceptions, for example, in a professional context and also in archival work. He recommended building trust through transparency in data processing, and by data minimization.

A break in the presentations was used to honor several anniversaries: The participants congratulated Sister M. Maksymiliana Pilarska, Provincial Superior of the Polish Province, on her 25th anniversary of religious profession; Sister M. Marianne Kamlage, Provincial Vicaress of the German Province, on her 40th anniversary of religious profession; and Sister Maria Fidelis Furukawa, Provincial Superior of the Japanese Province, on her Golden Jubilee. Also honored were Brian Blasco, Director of Communications and Archivist of the U.S. Canonical House for 30 years of service to the Sisters in the U.S.A., and Rolf Lehmann, who has served as an interpreter for the international Congregation for 50 years.

Finally, General Councilor Sister M. Lima Arackal and General Superior Sister M. Margarete Ulager reported on the successful completion of the revision of the General Constitutions.

In the evening, amid midsummer temperatures, all participants in the archives conference were invited to a barbecue at the Motherhouse. Special guests included the chairpersons of the St. Franziskus Foundation as well as representatives from St. Franziskus Hospital and from the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Some impressions of the day: