Former Superior General of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill, Father Dieter Gahlen was born on October 8, 1948, in Kirchhellen, Germany. Entering the Congregation of the Mariannhill Missionaries in Riedegg, Austria, he took his first vows in 1971, and after a period in London, Britain, to learn English, he went to St. John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria, South Africa, for further studies in Theology. He later obtained a degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and was ordained to the priesthood at his home parish in Feldhausen on December 13, 1975. The following year he returned to South Africa where he worked in various mission stations in the Diocese of Umtata: Mount Fletscher, Shepherds Hope, Marialinden and in the last five years at Mariazell.
In 1985, he was transferred to Mariannhill, CMM head-quarters in South Africa. His main task there was for the next 15 years the directorship of St. Wendolin's Development undertaking. During this time he was also school chaplain of St. Francis College and worked as editor of the Zulu weekly UMAFRIKA. In the Diocese of Mariannhill he was Episcopal Vicar for Development Justice and Peace. He was also an adviser to the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference on land issues.
At the beginning of 2001, Fr. Dieter was elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Umtata. That same year he made a sabbatical at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, USA, and in June 2002, went back to South Africa. At the General Chapter in October 2002, he was elected Superior General of the Congregation. On January 3, 2004, he had to be hospitalised due to serious ill health. Up to the last day doctors tried to bring healing to the Superior General but he died peacefully on January 25, 2004, in hospital in Rome aged 56. Funeral was held on February 5, in the chapel of the CMM General House in Rome, 91, Via San Giovanni Eudes. Successively, he was buried in the ancient Teutonic Cemetery within the walls of Vatican City.
In 1985, he was transferred to Mariannhill, CMM head-quarters in South Africa. His main task there was for the next 15 years the directorship of St. Wendolin's Development undertaking. During this time he was also school chaplain of St. Francis College and worked as editor of the Zulu weekly UMAFRIKA. In the Diocese of Mariannhill he was Episcopal Vicar for Development Justice and Peace. He was also an adviser to the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference on land issues.
At the beginning of 2001, Fr. Dieter was elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Umtata. That same year he made a sabbatical at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, USA, and in June 2002, went back to South Africa. At the General Chapter in October 2002, he was elected Superior General of the Congregation. On January 3, 2004, he had to be hospitalised due to serious ill health. Up to the last day doctors tried to bring healing to the Superior General but he died peacefully on January 25, 2004, in hospital in Rome aged 56. Funeral was held on February 5, in the chapel of the CMM General House in Rome, 91, Via San Giovanni Eudes. Successively, he was buried in the ancient Teutonic Cemetery within the walls of Vatican City.
Former Superior General of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill, Father Dieter Gahlen was born on October 8, 1948, in Kirchhellen, Germany. Entering the Congregation of the Mariannhill Missionaries in Riedegg, Austria, he took his first vows in 1971, and after a period in London, Britain, to learn English, he went to St. John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria, South Africa, for further studies in Theology. He later obtained a degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and was ordained to the priesthood at his home parish in Feldhausen on December 13, 1975. The following year he returned to South Africa where he worked in various mission stations in the Diocese of Umtata: Mount Fletscher, Shepherds Hope, Marialinden and in the last five years at Mariazell.
In 1985, he was transferred to Mariannhill, CMM head-quarters in South Africa. His main task there was for the next 15 years the directorship of St. Wendolin's Development undertaking. During this time he was also school chaplain of St. Francis College and worked as editor of the Zulu weekly UMAFRIKA. In the Diocese of Mariannhill he was Episcopal Vicar for Development Justice and Peace. He was also an adviser to the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference on land issues.
At the beginning of 2001, Fr. Dieter was elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Umtata. That same year he made a sabbatical at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, USA, and in June 2002, went back to South Africa. At the General Chapter in October 2002, he was elected Superior General of the Congregation. On January 3, 2004, he had to be hospitalised due to serious ill health. Up to the last day doctors tried to bring healing to the Superior General but he died peacefully on January 25, 2004, in hospital in Rome aged 56. Funeral was held on February 5, in the chapel of the CMM General House in Rome, 91, Via San Giovanni Eudes. Successively, he was buried in the ancient Teutonic Cemetery within the walls of Vatican City.
In 1985, he was transferred to Mariannhill, CMM head-quarters in South Africa. His main task there was for the next 15 years the directorship of St. Wendolin's Development undertaking. During this time he was also school chaplain of St. Francis College and worked as editor of the Zulu weekly UMAFRIKA. In the Diocese of Mariannhill he was Episcopal Vicar for Development Justice and Peace. He was also an adviser to the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference on land issues.
At the beginning of 2001, Fr. Dieter was elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Umtata. That same year he made a sabbatical at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, USA, and in June 2002, went back to South Africa. At the General Chapter in October 2002, he was elected Superior General of the Congregation. On January 3, 2004, he had to be hospitalised due to serious ill health. Up to the last day doctors tried to bring healing to the Superior General but he died peacefully on January 25, 2004, in hospital in Rome aged 56. Funeral was held on February 5, in the chapel of the CMM General House in Rome, 91, Via San Giovanni Eudes. Successively, he was buried in the ancient Teutonic Cemetery within the walls of Vatican City.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
