"After a rich and fulfilling life as a missionary, pastor and pastor, Jesus Christ, the risen one, called Richard Steiner to him."
Kochel am See
- This is what it says in the obituary for the priest and clergyman from Kochel am See. Richard Steiner died last Monday after a long, serious illness at the age of 81. In 2001 Richard Steiner moved into the Kochler rectory as a retired pastor. "He was a popular preacher and was very much appreciated by everyone," says Pastor Heiner Heim. In the parish community of Benediktbeuern - Bichl - Kochel he held Bible evenings and church services, offered lectures and individual pastoral talks. "Many people came to him for personal confession," reports Heim. His sermons, which Richard Steiner gave in Kochel and Benediktbeuern, were also very popular with the faithful. That was partly due to the humor of the retired pastor. He often put a smile on people's faces.Steiner preached again and again in poetry.
With his special way he donated help and consolation to people in need
A highlight of his time in Kochel was undoubtedly the celebration of his golden jubilee as a priest.
In 2015, the congregation celebrated its popular retirement chaplain.
The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary with a church procession and festive service, a procession to the home stage and a colorful array of speeches and interludes.
At that time, Mayor Thomas Holz emphasized that Richard Steiner, with his very own and very special way, was able to give help and consolation to people in need with his pastoral talks.
The time in Africa shaped his life
Richard Steiner was born in Schrobenhausen in 1940. After his ordination in Augsburg Cathedral in 1965, the pastor worked in Uganda, Augsburg and Seefeld, among others. His experiences in Africa in particular shaped his life. The clergyman lived in Uganda from 1967 to 1974. “The seven years there were the most important time in my life,” the clergyman said later in a conversation with the Tölzer Kurier. Steiner was one of the pioneers who helped set up a Christian social station.
At that time the Second Vatican Council had just ended and the task of mission was defined differently. As Steiner later reported, it was no longer a matter of “teaching the Africans the true faith”. The goal at the time was to create encounters, to take people seriously in culture and faith, to get into conversation and to support one another. At that time Steiner was in his late twenties, the main focus of his work in Africa was teaching at school and celebrating church services - with drums and African music. Steiner also learned the local language, Luganda. Steiner later said that this was very difficult, mainly because of the ambiguity. For example, he first had to learn that when someone said at confession that he had been on a journey, he meanthe had cheated.
The clergyman felt very comfortable in Kochel
As Pastor Heiner Heim reports, Richard Steiner's experiences in Africa have also shaped his work in the parish community of Benediktbeuern - Bichl - Kochel.
This is how he wanted to experience the Church alive.
The retired pastor felt very much at home in Kochel.
When he wasn't preaching or making confession, Richard Steiner enjoyed cycling around his home church.
For the past two years or so, the clergyman's health deteriorated.
Last Monday, the clergyman died at home in Kochel with his relatives.
The service
for Richard Steiner will take place this Monday, November 22nd, at 2.30 p.m. in the Catholic Church of St. Michael in Kochel am See.
Then there is the funeral.
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