It is with regret that we inform you of the death on Thursday at 3 PM on 21st September 2023 in Herbert House, Brixen, Italy, aged 91, of

Father Ludwig Lochmann

Mill Hill Missionary

May he rest in peace

Fr. Ludwig Lochmann was born on 12th April 1932 in Altrei, Trent, Italy to Francis Lochmann, a farmer, and Maria nee Hanspeter. He had five brothers and one sister. He received the Sacrament of Baptism in his home parish in Altrei and confirmed to the Faith in Cavalase, Northern Italy. At the age of 13 years, he joined the minor seminary in Dorf Tirol and completed it in 1952. He studied Philosophy and related subjects in Brixen Major Seminary from 1952 to 1954. He proceeded to Mill Hill, London in 1954 to take up theological studies and continue his missionary trainings at St. Joseph’s College.  On 6th May 1957 he took the Perpetual Oath and became a Mill Hill Missionary and was ordained missionary priest on 13th July 1958 by Archbishop William Godfrey of Westminster.

After his ordination, he was appointed to Kampala Diocese, Uganda. He took up his missionary appointment in November 1958 and began learning Luganda in Namagunga. He served as curate in places like Namunyumya, Kamuli, Wesunire and Naggalama and later parish priest in Nsambya (being the last mhm parish priest of Nsambya), Namugunga and Kakira. Following his first home leave in May, 1964 he was appointed to do organising works in Absam for three years. In November 1967, Ludwig was appointed back to Uganda, this time to work in Tororo Diocese. He served in places like Mbale, Nyondo and Lumino.

Following his missionary services in Uganda, Ludwig was appointed back to the German Speaking Region in 1971, particularly to work on vocation promotion and organising works. In September 1973, he was appointed Rector of Brixen. He followed a renewal course in Nemi, Italy with the SVD in August 1979. In February 1980, he was appointed to the Staff in Bludenz and two months later he was appointed Rector there, a post he served for five years. This was followed by a six-year period (1985-1991) as parish priest in Bludenz. In November 1991, he was again appointed Rector of mission house in Brixen. He also served as Regional Representative in the GSR for six years. In 1992, he was appointed Development Coordinator of the Region. He was elected Chapter delegate in 2000.

Nicknamed the ‘Italian Diplomat’, Ludwig was appreciated for his skills of fostering compromise and bringing reconciliation in situations where there were tension and disagreements. In 2006 Ludwig decided to retire to  Herberthaus in Brixen and while in retirement he served as vice rector of the house. Ludwig found Herberthaus to be a peaceful place and was happy there. He praised the design of the house. He continued to play the role of peace-maker/reconciler during times of tension in the house.  He attended the 65+ course in Rome in October 2007. He celebrated his Diamond Jubilee in 2018, both in Missionshaus (together with the other Jubilarians) and in his home parish (hosted by the local mayor).

Ludwig was diabetic and had to inject insulin twice a day. He was close to having open-heart surgery, but his age and diabetes dictated a medication approach instead. Despite his declining health, Ludwig remained ever cheerful and was grateful for the care he received and for the life he had as a missionary. He was a happy man. Ludwig returned to his creator at 3 PM on Thursday, 21st September 2023, on the feast of St. Mathew the Apostle. May he rest in peace.

Ludwig will be buried in his native village of Altrei on Monday, 25th September 2023 following a Funeral Mass at 2.30pm.