Fr. Thiemo (Benedikt) Biechele OSB was born on August 15, 1928 in Obergermaringen. He grew up there together with his two brothers. He had to bury his eldest brother in Obergermering only two weeks ago. On November 13, 1950, he made his profession in St. Ottilien. So in this year 2020 he would have celebrated the 70th anniversary of his profession as well as his 65th anniversary as a priest. In 1957 Fr. Thiemo was sent out to work as a missionary priest in Tanzania.
Fr. Thiemo worked as a teacher in the parish in Tingenbole for three years, where he built his sensational cable car. In Songea he worked in the city pastoral for two years, where he dedicated himself particularly to working with young people. Then he was in Lumbila for nine years. Fr. Thiemo built eight churches and always received substantial support from Germany. He worked in Lugarawa for five years and then served as prior in Uwemba. He was a missionary, a catechist and a master builder.
Abbot Pambo from Mvima, a former student of Father Thiemo and born in Uwemba, writes: “He was a great missionary in our country. I saw him when he was young and played soccer with the teenagers. I was blessed to be among his altar servers. He taught us to look clean and disciplined at the altar.
In many ways, this was the best time of my childhood: living with Baba Thiemo / Baba Paroko! I saw him even more when he was old, full of faith and grateful for what he has done as a missionary in our country in the past. We are also grateful to him because he lived with us as a father, a teacher, a guide and a friend! ”
Fr. Thiemo was a friend of life. He touched people’s hearts with his charm and his kindness. His hospitality was well known, so he never remained without visitors. He had the talent to spread a good mood without placing himself in the foreground. After he had received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, he expressed the wish to return to God his father. On March 3, 2020, he peacefully passed away in the early hours of the morning. Fr. Thiemo Biechele, O.S.B. will be remembered by many.
Requiem with funeral on Thursday, March 5, at 10.30 a.m. in the Abbey church of St. Ottilien.
Archabbot Wolfgang Öxler and Convent of the Archabbey of Sankt Ottilien