Former Vicar General Prof. Dr. Stanke celebrates his 80th birthday in Fulda!

Former Vicar General Prof. Dr. Stanke celebrates his 80th birthday in Fulda!

On November 4, 2025, the well-known pastor Prof. Dr. Gerhard Stanke celebrated his 80th birthday. This occasion will be honored with a thanksgiving service at 11:30 a.m. in the Fulda parish church. Stanke is known for his long and committed career in the diocese of Fulda, where he served as vicar general for many years. The diocese has had to deal with a decline in candidates for the priesthood in recent years, which underlines the importance of Stanke's work. After all, he is one of the influential personalities who led the Catholic Church in the region for decades, reports the Rhön Canal.

Gerhard Stanke was born in Hultschiner Ländchen in 1945 and grew up in Fulda after his expulsion. After graduating from the Domgymnasium Fulda in 1965, he began studying theology and philosophy in Königstein, Munich and Fulda. In 1971 he was ordained a priest in Fulda Cathedral by Bishop Dr. Adolf Bolte. In the following years, Stanke worked as a chaplain in several communities and later began studying moral theology at the University of Würzburg, where he received his doctorate in 1980. De facto, Stanke was a mainstay of pastoral care in the region for over 22 years from 1980 onwards as the head of the Fulda seminary Wikipedia shows.

A life for pastoral care

Stanke's professional career ranged from diocesan women's pastoral care to his role as cathedral chapter to a full professor of moral theology at the Fulda Theological Faculty. He has also actively dealt with sensitive issues, such as the task of the task force to investigate allegations of sexual abuse by clergy. A particular highlight of his career was his appointment as Vicar General of the Diocese of Fulda in 2008, which he held until his retirement in January 2020.

Stanke remains a central figure in pastoral care even after he leaves active service. He continues to be involved through church services in correctional facilities and visits to retirement homes and hospitals. This sociable closeness and devotion to people testify to his unbroken faith and tireless charity. This makes it clear that even in times of decline in candidates for the priesthood, as is currently being observed in the Diocese of Fulda and beyond, there is still a need for experienced pastors.

The situation in the diocese of Fulda

The decline in the number of priest candidates being trained in the diocese of Fulda and Hesse is evident everywhere. Only three new priests were recently ordained, while the prospect of further ordaining candidates in the coming period looks rather bleak. This situation is keeping the dioceses on tenterhooks, which is why the Diocese of Fulda has joined a Germany-wide network of 14 dioceses to organize pastoral courses together - a step that is essential for the future of pastoral care Hesse show reported.

In the current situation, those responsible are faced with challenges, with celibacy often being discussed as one of the main reasons for the decline in new candidates for the priesthood. Stanke has always proven throughout his life that he has a good knack for dealing with these questions and continues to be an important contact person for the community.

So today we're not just experiencing a celebration for Prof. Dr. Gerhard Stanke, but also an opportunity to pay respect to his excellent work and to reflect on the current challenges of the church in Hesse.