Eugen Drewermann is 86 years old as of October 2026. He was born on 20 June 1940.
Quick facts
Date of birth20 June 1940
Age86
NationalityGerman
BirthplaceBergkamen, Germany
Editor's Take:
Eugen Drewermann became the most famous rebel priest in Germany. He argued that Bible stories such as the virgin birth should be read as symbols that heal, not as literal facts. Church leaders, including the future Pope Benedict XVI, saw that as a threat. His book on the inner life of priests caused a public storm in the early 1990s. Silenced by his archbishop, he gained an even bigger audience. He has also campaigned for peace and against German military missions abroad.
Key Milestones
1991: Barred from teaching at the Paderborn seminary
1992: Loses his licence to preach
2005: Leaves the Catholic Church
Eugen Drewermann (born 20 June 1940) is a German church critic, theologian, peace activist and former Catholic priest. His work has been translated into more than a dozen languages.
