New deputy for Baden-Baden: Pastor Fritz active from May 2026!

New deputy for Baden-Baden: Pastor Fritz active from May 2026!

With a significant step in the pastoral care structure, the Archdiocese of Freiburg has initiated a reform that is to be fully implemented by January 1, 2026. Pastor Reinhart Fritz (54) is appointed deputy pastor of the new Baden-Baden St. Bernhard parish, which will be one of the 36 new large parishes in the archdiocese. Particularly exciting: His official term of office begins on May 15, 2026. He will be responsible for the pastoral care of around 50,000 Catholics.

The pastoral care units for which he will be responsible include not only the city of Baden-Baden itself, but also the surrounding areas such as Baden-Baden-Oos, Baden-Baden-Rebland, Bühl Vimbuch, Bühlertal, Ottersweier Maria Linden, Rheinmünster-Lichtenau and Sinzheim-Hügelsheim. This extensive responsibility gives the new pastor a key position in the region.

A new era for the archdiocese

The reform of the archdiocese, which goes by the title “Church Development 2030”, aims to dissolve the small-scale structure and create significant relief for pastoral staff from administrative tasks. According to reports from SWR By the deadline, the administrative organization will be converted into new large parishes that bring together over 1,000 individual parishes. These large parishes should be sustainable and able to meet the challenges of the future.

Archbishop Stephan Burger announced the upcoming changes in various church services and emphasized that every step also responds to the changes in membership numbers. With the dissolution of the previous structures and the formation of new parishes, a new path is being taken, which should also be positive for pastoral care and community life.

Important changes in the parish

Pastor Reinhart Fritz has already had an impressive career that began with his ordination as a priest in 2001. Growing up in Waldbronn, he studied theology in Freiburg and Maynooth (Ireland). His last position was as a pastor in Rheinstetten and from January 2026 he will be a cooperator in the new parish of Ettlingen St. Martin.

The reform brings interesting changes. Among other things, it is planned that pastors in the new large parishes will be appointed for a term of eight years, with the option of an extension of six years. The previous parish councils will also be replaced by a joint committee of elected representatives. Loud katholisch.de Working groups and discussions are also planned to better address local needs.

The change is a reaction to the declining number of members and the need to manage finances intelligently, according to the archdiocese. In Freiburg, over 3,000 people left the church in 2023, which could affect long-term finances. Nevertheless, there is hope: rising wages and salaries could temporarily lead to an increase in church tax revenue.

In view of this comprehensive structural reform, everything is in place to successfully shape the church of the future in the region, even if there are some uncertainties. Pastor Fritz and his team hope that these changes will bring new impetus to pastoral care and strengthen the community.