Hans-Reinhard Koch facts for kids
Hans-Reinhard Koch (born November 27, 1929 – died April 25, 2018) was an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church in Germany. He became a priest in 1955. Later, he served as a special kind of bishop, called an auxiliary bishop, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erfurt in Germany. He held this role from 1985 until he retired in 2004.
Early Life and Education
Hans-Reinhard Koch was born in Leinefelde, a town in Thuringia, Germany. His father, Adolf Koch, was a dentist, and his mother, Maria Koch, was a housewife. Hans-Reinhard had four brothers and sisters, two older and two younger than him.
After finishing elementary school in Leinefelde, he went to secondary school in Heiligenstadt and Duderstadt. He finished school in 1950. After that, he decided to study theology, which is the study of religious faith. He studied at seminaries (schools for training priests) in Fulda, Erfurt, and Neuzelle Abbey.
His Work as a Priest and Bishop
Hans-Reinhard Koch became a priest in 1955. Bishop Josef Freusberg ordained him at Erfurt Cathedral. First, he worked as a chaplain in Nordhausen. Then, he moved to Kölleda, where he became a pastor for young people in the Sömmerda district.
In 1965, he started working at the seminary in Erfurt. There, he was in charge of training new priests. Three years later, in 1968, he began working at the diocesan chancery. This is like the main office for a bishop's area. He managed priests and other church staff there. From 1983, he also served as a priest at Erfurt Cathedral.
In May 1985, Hans-Reinhard Koch was chosen to be an auxiliary bishop. This means he helped the main bishop of the Erfurt-Meiningen area. He was also given the title of bishop of Mediana. On July 6, 1985, Bishop Joachim Wanke officially made him a bishop.
When the area became the official Roman Catholic Diocese of Erfurt in 1994, Koch continued as auxiliary bishop, helping Bishop Wanke. His special motto as a bishop was Illum oportet crescere. This Latin phrase comes from the Bible (John 3:30) and means "He must become greater; I must become less." He retired in 2004 when he turned 75, which is the usual retirement age for bishops in that area.
Later Life and Achievements
Even after retiring, Hans-Reinhard Koch continued to live in Erfurt. He enjoyed reading books and looking at art. In 2013, when he was over 80 years old, he made a special trip to the church of Klüschen Hagis.
He was also a board member for many years of the German Caritas. This is a large Catholic organization that helps people in need. In 2009, he received their highest award, called the Silbernen Brottellers. In 2010, Christine Lieberknecht gave him the Order of Merit of the Free State of Thuringia. This is a high honor from the state of Thuringia.
Hans-Reinhard Koch was found unconscious at his home on April 21, 2018. Doctors said he had an intracranial hemorrhage, which is a serious brain bleed. He never woke up and passed away on April 25, 2018, at the age of 88.
