Environmental pioneer Josef Bierschneider celebrates 60 years of priestly service!

Environmental pioneer Josef Bierschneider celebrates 60 years of priestly service!

The celebrations on the occasion of Pastor Josef Bierschneider's 60th anniversary as a priest are focused on environmental protection and the preservation of creation. On June 29, 2025, a meeting of the Diocese of Eichstätt took place in Pfünz to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the environmental and social encyclical Laudato si'. Bierschneider, a well-known supporter of creation theology, has campaigned for the protection of soils and waters since his appointment as environmental commissioner in 1986 and warns urgently about the dangers of nuclear power. He sees himself as an ambassador of a spirituality that is deeply rooted in the appreciation of creation, as [bistum-eichstaett.de](https://www.bistum-eichstaett.de/aktuell/aktuelle-melden-details/news/werber-und-warner-josef-bierschneider-der-jetzt-sein-60-priesterjubilaeum- Feiert-war-erster-umweltbe/) reports.

Bierschneider grew up as a farmer's son in the parish of Staadorf near Dietfurt and has worked as a rural pastor since 1976. During his ongoing career, he gave numerous lectures that emphasized the importance of Thanksgiving and environmental stewardship. Last but not least, he has made a name for himself through his networking with Bavarian colleagues and his participation in nationwide conferences. The bishop's statement “Future of creation, future of people” from 1980 was a formative guideline for his work as an environmental pastor. Despite health setbacks, including a stroke in 2014, his interest in creation spirituality remains strong, according to vaticannews.de.

The legacy of Laudato si’

The encyclical Laudato Si', published by Pope Francis on May 24, 2015, has significantly influenced Catholic social teaching regarding climate change. This documentary considers nature and the environment as the common property of humanity and has not only raised the awareness of believers but also moved the scientific community. What is particularly noteworthy is that the encyclical has taken away the legitimacy of climate change deniers. This is also made clear by the Vatican's active role in the climate negotiations in Paris (COP21), as vaticannews.de notes.

German climate scientist Ottmar Edenhofer, who helped write Laudato si', emphasizes that the atmospheres and oceans should be viewed as common property. The new Pope Leo XIV has the opportunity to build on the teachings of Laudato si' and strengthen the unity of the Church for the common good. Edenhofer calls for increased cooperation between science and faith in order to meet the challenges of our time.

A look forward

The urgency of climate protection measures remains unbroken. Ten years after the publication of Laudato si', the call for international multilateralism and fair use of resources is becoming louder and louder. Despite the multitude of skeptics and deniers of climate change, whom Edenhofer describes as not scientifically based, the bridge between faith and science is essential to mastering current ecological challenges.

In summary, it can be said that the celebration of Josef Bierschneider's 60th anniversary as a priest is both a tribute to his life's work and an urgent appeal to protect creation and preserve our environment. The principle that the future of creation also determines the future of people remains central and will continue to shape reality.