Ebersberg pastor Riedl appointed monsignor - celebration in Munich

Ebersberg pastor Riedl appointed monsignor - celebration in Munich

The Ebersberg pastor Josef Riedl can now look forward to the prestigious honorary title of Monsignor. Pope Leo XIV awarded him this award at the suggestion of Archbishop Cardinal Reinhard Marx. The honor was presented on December 20, 2025 at a ceremonial event in the Bishop's House in Munich. It is a tribute to Riedl's decades of work and commitment to the Catholic Church.

Riedl, who was born in Sonnenholzen near Wasserburg am Inn in 1956, was ordained a priest in Freising in 1982. Over the years he has served as a chaplain in several communities in the north of Munich, including Berg am Laim and Feldmoching. From 1987 to 1992 he worked at the diocesan office “Professions of the Church” before becoming director of the St. Matthias Late Vocations Seminar, where he worked until 2002. His career also led him to lead the Catholic Workers' Movement in the Ebersberg district.

A well-deserved volunteer position

Riedl was dean of the Ebersberg deanery until autumn 2025 and looked after several parish associations, including Moosach and Grafing as well as the parishes of Kirchseeon and Zorneding. He deservedly earned this distinction in his final months before retirement in spring 2026. His decades of dedication and dedicated service have earned him many friends and followers in the community.

Together with Riedl, three other priests from the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising also received this honorary title: Pastor Hans Huber (68), the clergyman Johannes Kurzydem (68) and the clergyman Klaus Günter Stahlschmidt (83) were also honored. Huber and Kurzydem, like Riedl, have distinguished themselves through a life full of service and commitment to the church.

The meaning of the title Monsignor

The title Monsignor refers to a priest of the Roman Catholic Church who has been awarded an honorary papal title. The term comes from Italian and means “my lord”. After the reform under Pope Francis, such titles are mainly only awarded to deserving clerics aged 65 and over. This makes the award even more valuable for Pastor Riedl, because it is not only a recognition of his many years of loyalty and dedication, but also a sign of the church's trust in him.

The solemn honor speaks of the Pope's appreciation for the priests' merits and strengthens the connection between the individual parishes and the archdiocese. Riedl is now seen as part of the papal family, which has great significance for many believers. The tradition of honoring priests who have made special contributions is very important in the Catholic Church. The title Monsignor is primarily associated with respect and honor.

For the priest, it is an exciting award and a warm farewell to a career that he has filled with dedication and commitment. Riedl will certainly leave many traces in the community, even when he retires soon.