Father Bernd Hagenkord SJ has died

Fr Bernd Hagenkord

Source: German Bishops Conference/Vatican Media

Jesuit Father Bernd Hagenkord, 52, died on Monday following a brief illness. For more than a decade Fr Bernd headed the German-language programmes of Vatican Radio, and went on to play a leading role in implementing the Holy See's media reform.

Born on 4 October 1968 in Hamm, near Dusseldorf, he joined the Society of Jesus in 1992 at the age of 24. He was ordained in Cologne in 2002 after having studied philosophy, theology, history and journalism in Hamburg, Munich and London.

From 2002 to 2008 he was youth chaplain at the Sankt-Ansgar-Schule in Hamburg and worked as spiritual director of the student association for Catholic students youth (KSJ). From 2004 to 2007 he was spokesman for the youth pastoral care conference; from 2007 to 2012 federal chaplain of the KSJ. In 2008 he completed the last phase of his religious formation in Chile and made his last vows on April 7, 2010. In the meantime he had an intenrship at Cologne Cathedral Radio and learned Italian.

Bernd Hagenkord took over the management of the German-speaking department of Radio Vatican on October 1, 2009, This task had been assigned to him by the Society of Jesus to report on papal and Vatican activities during the pontificate of Benedict XVI.

Hagenkord lived with the Jesuit community of Casa San Pietro Canisio in Rome.

During his ten years at Vatican Radio, Fr Bernd was much loved by fellow German-speaking reporters, who looked up to him not only for his professional, but also for his human qualities. He was often the one who offered to work the busiest shifts, especially on major feasts, so that his colleagues could spend time with their families. He was highly esteemed by those in the many other language sections of Vatican Radio. as well.

A Vatican Radio tribute says: "Father Bernd was very balanced, often ironic in his approach - but one of his traits that most stood out was his capacity to mediate, in a way that was both thoughtful and insightful, whenever there was an issue to be resolved. That's why the new Board of Directors entrusted him with the coordination of the editorial team that liases with all the different language sections of Vatican Radio/Vatican News."

In September 2019, Father Bernd left the Vatican to work with the church in Germany, first as a spiritual guide, then also as an elected member of the ZdK, the largest association of German Catholics involved in the Synod with the Bishops' Conference. While he was ill with cancer by now, he found time to teach journalism as long as his strength and medical treatment allowed.

The Vatican Media tribute says: "Father Bernd lived his last days with the privacy and discretion that were part of his character. His love for Rome and for Roman history is witnessed by the stunning black and white photographs on his Instagram profile. When he arrived in Rome he hung a sign on the door of his office. It said: 'Free space for faith.' That sign is no longer there - but it is no longer needed. It is engraved in his legacy.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord
And let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
Through the mercy of God, rest in peace.