Neubrandenburg mourns the loss of Rainer Prachtl: a life full of faith and commitment

Neubrandenburg mourns the loss of Rainer Prachtl: a life full of faith and commitment

In a moving farewell, Neubrandenburg said goodbye on Wednesday by Rainer Prachtl, the first president of the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania after 1990. The 74-year-old died unexpectedly on October 12 and leaves a gap that cannot be closed in the heart of his family, friends and companions. Many came from far away, even from Hamburg and Potsdam, to be part of the emotional requiem in the Catholic Church and honor the man who has tirelessly campaigned for the community.

A place of grief and hope

The fair was not only a place of grief, but also a sign of hope, as Auxiliary Bishop Horst Eberlein emphasized. He recalled the Three Kings and their message, which was of great importance for Prachtl. For him, “responsibility and commitment” were not empty words, but lived values. Eberlein compared Prachtl to Ernst Barlach's sculpture "Wanderer in the Wind", who, despite all the adversities

The mourning guests included high-ranking politicians such as President of the Landtag Birgit Hesse and member of the Bundestag Philipp Amthor. However, numerous citizens, entrepreneurs and members of the Epiphany Association had also come to honor the unforgettable person who always remained loyal to his hometown. "Neubrandenburg becomes a bit poorer through his death," said the unanimous opinion of those present.

Global honors for a special person

The grief for Prachtl extended beyond the borders of Neubrandenburg. A friend from Israel sang the peace song "Hevenu Shalom Alechem" for him in Jerusalem. Candles were not only on the Epiphany shrine in Cologne, but also on the grave of the German Pope Benedict XVI. inflamed in St. Peter's Basilica. Prachtl's urn found her final resting place in the new cemetery, and on November 12th he will be honored with a mourning act in Schwerin to honor his remarkable life and work.