France / A twinning project between the parish of Argentan and that of Baja in Hungary

From October 19 to 23, 2026, two priests from the Hungarian city of Baja were hosted in Argentan (Orne) by the Amitiés internationales association. The association is considering establishing a sister-city relationship between the two parishes, starting in 2027.

Founded in Argentan (Orne) in late 2002, the Amitiés internationales association organizes exchanges between the local parish and those of Sint-Niklaas in Belgium and the English town of Abingdon. But it is with another city linked to Argentan that a bond is forming: from October 19 to 23, 2026, Fathers Mathias and Josef—two of the six Catholic priests from Baja, a Hungarian city twinned with Argentan—were hosted by Amitiés internationales.

The beginnings of this friendship date back to the summer of 2025 and a visit by a delegation from Argentan to Baja, during which Father Olivier Guntz (a priest serving at the Benedictine Abbey) was welcomed by his counterparts.

An official twinning in 2027?

Following these connections, an idea took root: why not establish a twinning between the two parishes? Plans were discussed last week, during a visit that included tours (Alençon, Sées, Soligny, Lisieux) and meetings. “It was also an opportunity to bless the association’s new banner in the Saint-Thomas-Becket Chapel at Saint-Germain Church,” noted President Ionnie Sillière and Secretary Pierrette Diard.

To mark the 25th anniversary of Amitiés internationales in 2027, the association plans to host a delegation from the parish of Baja to formalize this new twinning.

Source: www.ouest-france.fr/