Hermann Raich

Hermann Raich, SVD ( born 2 May 1934 in Jerzens, Tyrol, Austria, † October 9, 2009 in Wabag, Papua New Guinea) was a bishop of the Diocese of Wabag in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Life

Hermann Raich came after high school of the Congregation of the Divine Word Missionaries in St. Gabriel, Maria Grossenzersdorf south of Vienna, at. After studying theology, he received on 29 April 1962, the priesthood and went to the mission. From 1964 he was active in Papua New Guinea in the construction of churches, particularly in Enga province.

In 1982 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II, the first bishop of the Diocese of Wabag, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Mount Hagen. He received his episcopal consecration on 29 April 1982, the Archbishop of Mount Hagen, George Elmer Bernarding SVD; Co-consecrators were Francesco De Nittis, Apostolic Pro-Nuncio of Papua New Guinea, and Raymond Rodly Caesar SVD, Bishop of Goroka in Papua New Guinea.

Pope Benedict XVI. agreed in 2008 to the age-and health-related withdrawal. He died after a long illness and was buried at the house of the Divine Word Missionaries in Par, Papua New Guinea.

In Papua New Guinea Bishop Raich was held in high esteem; his retirement he was a stamp dedicated.