German bishop pays moving tribute to world’s oldest diocesan priest, who has died at 110
A German bishop has paid a moving tribute to one of his diocesan priests, who has died at the age of 110.
Bishop Dr. Michael Gerber of the Diocese of Fulda, Germany, and the Vice-President of the German Bishops’ Conference, said Father Bruno Kant: “radiated the humility, kindness, and spiritual depth that characterized his entire priestly life.”
Reverend Kant died on Friday evening, May 29, 2026, at the age of 110 in Eichenzell-Löschenrod. The retired priest had celebrated his 110th birthday on February 26. On this occasion, he received a personal letter of congratulations from Pope Leo XIV. Fr Kant was among the oldest living Germans. According to the Vatican, he was the oldest Catholic priest in the world.
Bishop Gerber paid tribute to Fr Kant as a priest whose witness of faith and service have shaped many people across generations: “Just a few months ago, I had the privilege of conveying Pope Leo XIV’s blessings to Father Bruno Kant on his 110th birthday,” said Bishop Gerber.
“The encounter with him deeply impressed me. Even in his advanced age, he radiated the humility, kindness, and spiritual depth that characterized his entire priestly life. The Diocese of Fulda looks back on his work and service with great gratitude.”
Eichenzell’s parish priest, Dr. Guido Pasenow, paid tribute to Fr Kant’s long-standing connection with the parish.
“With the death of Father Bruno Kant, our parish loses a person who was at the heart of it for many years,” said Dr. Pasenow.
“Even after he retired from active ministry, he remained a valued confidant, pastor, and spiritual guide for many parishioners. We are grateful for everything he gave to our community.”
Bruno Kant was born on February 26, 1916, in Werblin, West Prussia. He graduated from the Municipal Gymnasium in Danzig in 1934 and began his philosophical and theological studies at the Braunsberg State Academy and the University of Freiburg. In 1943, Kant was drafted into military service. Only after returning from Russian captivity as a prisoner of war in 1948 was he able to resume his theological studies in Fulda. On March 19, 1950, he was ordained a priest in Fulda Cathedral by Bishop Johannes Baptist Dietz.
After initial assignments as a chaplain in Blankenau and Schwarzbach, and from 1955 at St. Joseph’s Parish in Kassel, he was appointed to St. Giles’ Parish in Petersberg-Marbach on June 20, 1960. There, Fr Kant served as pastor for more than three decades, also shaping the branch parishes of Bernhards, Dammersbach, and Rückers. His tenure saw extensive renovations and remodeling of several churches.
“With great dedication, Kant was able to inspire people to work together and to consolidate local responsibility. Furthermore, he served as a pastor and advocate for the concerns of the local communities,” said a spokesperson for the diocese of Fulda.\
From 1971, Fr Kant served for ten years as deputy dean of the Hünfeld deanery. In December 1980, he was appointed a spiritual advisor. From the end of 1981 until 1986, he served as dean of the deanery. Furthermore, from 1974 onward, he was the deanery president of the St. Cecilia Association for many years. After his retirement in 1991, he moved to Eichenzell-Löschenrod. There, he took up residence in a house right next to the church and remained closely connected to parish life even as a retired priest. He regularly performed pastoral duties until he was 102 years old. Fr Kant was highly respected in the parishes where he served. A street in Petersberg-Marbach bears his name; in Eichenzell-Löschenrod, the square by the church was named “Fr.-Bruno-Kant-Platz” in his honour.
“With the passing of Bruno Kant, the Diocese of Fulda loses a priest whose life touched upon more than a century of ecclesiastical and social history,” the iocese said on its website.
“His pastoral service, his faithfulness to his priestly mission, and his connection with the local people will be remembered with gratitude.”
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