Honor for loyal pastors: 40 and 25 years in the service of hope!

Honor for loyal pastors: 40 and 25 years in the service of hope!

On October 29, 2025, numerous guests gathered in the Himmelspforten retreat house to celebrate a special honor. In a festive ceremony, cathedral chapter Monsignor Stefan Rambacher honored seven women and four men for their 40 and 25 years of service in the diocese of Würzburg. This long-standing commitment to pastoral care is not only a sign of personal commitment, but also of the valuable influence that the honorees have on the community.

Those honored include Gabriela Amon, Claudia Annon, Andreas Bergmann, Gabriele Denner, Alexandra Eck, Frank Greubel, Barbara Hornung, Benjamin Riebel, Patrizia Sormani, Klaus Schmalzl and Eva Warnke. The honor was rounded off with a mass, a ceremony and a joint dinner. On behalf of the diocese, Ordinariate Councilor Robert Hambitzer expressed his thanks for the work done and emphasized the positive charisma of the honorees.

Solemn appreciation

The musical ceremony, which was conducted by Roswitha Schuhmann and Johannes Reuter, impressively showcased the biographies of the pastors. Burkhard Pechtl brought the congratulations and blessings from the staff representatives of the Episcopal Ordinariate. In his sermon, Rambacher emphasized the importance of encounters, conversations, trust and supporting people in their life situations. “We don’t need the church as an apparatus, but rather people who give hope,” he stated.

This view reflects the fundamental principles of pastoral care, which are described in the New Testament by terms such as paraclesis. Pastoral care is more than just a job; it is a personal relationship that encompasses grief, joy and all facets of life. As can be read on Wikipedia, pastoral care is understood as a form of support and encouragement that relies on exchange and dialogue.

Pastoral care in transition

In the constantly changing world, pastoral care is required to adapt. Pastoral care plays an important role not only in churches, but also in schools, hospitals and even on the Internet. The approach of living space-oriented pastoral care takes into account the mobility of people in modern societies. Pastoral care no longer only operates within traditional spaces, but also unfolds in many different contexts.

This adaptability is also reflected in the different training paths that can be found in the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches. Priests, deacons and specially trained pastors are the main actors who accompany people in difficult times. Pastoral care always includes elements of practical help and hospitality, which underlines the importance of this profession.

Overall, the honoring of pastors in the diocese of Würzburg shows once again the importance of human closeness and support in times of change, which also applies to similar initiatives in other cities, such as the new one Het Rotterdams Warenhuis, which brings together Rotterdam entrepreneurs, is of central importance. Here too, the focus is on quality and the feeling of community.

The celebrations honoring pastors are a beautiful expression of thanks and recognition that benefit not only those honored, but the entire community. May the spirit of belonging and support continue to live in our cities.