World's Oldest Catholic Priest Dies at 110 Years Old after Receiving Pope Leo XIV's Blessing - RIP Fr. Bruno Kant

World’s Oldest Catholic Priest, Father Bruno Kant, Dies at 110

The Diocese of Fulda is mourning the loss of Reverend Bruno Kant, who passed away peacefully on Friday evening, May 29, 2026, in Eichenzell-Löschenrod. At 110 years old, Father Kant was recognized by the Vatican as the oldest living Catholic priest in the world and was among the oldest citizens in Germany.

Just a few months prior, on February 26, Father Kant celebrated his milestone 110th birthday. To mark the occasion, he received a personal letter of congratulations and an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Leo XIV. The Vatican's well-wishes were personally delivered by Bishop Dr. Michael Gerber of Fulda, who visited the centenarian alongside Auxiliary Bishop Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Diez and personnel officer Prof. Dr. Cornelius Roth amidst a joyful celebration filled with parishioners, altar servers, and local children.

Tributes to a Century of Faith

Bishop Dr. Michael Gerber expressed deep gratitude for Father Kant's generational impact:

"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."

Dr. Guido Pasenow, the parish priest of Eichenzell, echoed this sentiment, noting that Father Kant remained a deeply valued confidant, pastor, and spiritual guide for the community long after his formal retirement.

A Life Defined by Resilience and Service

Born on February 26, 1916, in Werblin, West Prussia, Bruno Kant’s path to the priesthood was interrupted by the turbulence of the 20th century. After graduating from the Municipal Gymnasium in Danzig in 1934, he pursued philosophical and theological studies in Braunsberg and Freiburg.

His studies were halted in 1943 when he was drafted into military service. Following World War II, he endured years in a Russian prisoner-of-war camp, finally returning in 1948. Undeterred, he resumed his theological training in Fulda and was ordained a priest at the Fulda Cathedral on March 19, 1950, by Bishop Dr. Johannes Baptist Dietz.

Decades of Community Leadership

Father Kant’s ministry spanned several key assignments across the region:

• Early Ministry (1950–1960): Served as chaplain in Blankenau, Schwarzbach, and Kassel (St. Joseph).

• The Marbach Era (1960–1991): Spent over three decades as the parish priest for St. Ägidius in Petersberg-Marbach, also oversighted the communities of Bernhards, Dammersbach, and Rückers. He was highly regarded for spearheading extensive church renovations and fostering strong local collaboration.

• Deanery Leadership: Served as deputy dean of the Hünfeld deanery (1971–1981), was appointed spiritual advisor (1980), and served as dean from 1981 to 1986. He also spent many years as the deanery president of the St. Cecilia Association.

Active Until the Very End

Even after retiring to Eichenzell-Löschenrod in 1991, Father Kant lived right next to the church and remained a vibrant pillar of the parish. Remarkably, he continued to perform regular pastoral duties until the age of 102.

His immense impact on the region is permanently etched into the local landscape: a street in Petersberg-Marbach bears his name, and the church square in Eichenzell-Löschenrod was officially named "Pfr.-Bruno-Kant-Platz" in his honor.

With his passing, the Diocese of Fulda bids farewell to a historic figure whose lifetime spanned over a century of profound ecclesiastical and social change, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering faith and devoted service.

Source https://www.bistum-fulda.de/bistum_fulda/presse_medien/aktuelle_meldungen.php