Hermann Häring was born in 1937 in Pforzheim (Germany). He studied philosophy and theology and obtained his doctorate at the University of Tübingen (1970), where he later also worked. In Tübingen, he collaborated closely with the influential theologian Hans Küng at the Institute for Ecumenical Research. In this intellectually dynamic environment, he developed his enduring interest in fundamental theology, ecumenism and the relationship between religion and modern culture.
In 1980, he was appointed professor of systematic theology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen, now Radboud University. Formally, he was the successor to Piet Schoonenberg, but when Edward Schillebeeckx retired in 1983, he took over the latter’s chair. For twenty-five years, Hermann Häring made a significant contribution to theological education and research in Nijmegen. He was known for his intellectual openness, his international outlook and his ability to analyse complex theological issues clearly and critically. Generations of students remember his lectures as challenging, topical and profound, always underpinned by a deep confidence in the value of critical thinking. In the 1990s, Hermann Häring served two consecutive terms as Dean of the Nijmegen Faculty of Theology. In 1999, he became the first director of the Nijmegen-based interdisciplinary Heyendaal Institute for Theology, Science and Culture, which aimed to foster dialogue between theology and other academic disciplines, as well as broader cultural developments. Under Häring’s leadership, the Heyendaal Institute grew into an internationally renowned forum for reflection on the place of religion and meaning in a rapidly changing society.
Hermann Häring’s academic work was characterised by a constant quest for the credibility of religion in the modern world. In his publications, he addressed themes such as ecclesiastical authority, freedom of conscience, religious identity, secularisation and the relationship between science and faith. In doing so, he combined systematic rigour with social engagement. He belonged to that generation of Catholic theologians who sought not only to preserve the renewal of the Second Vatican Council historically, but also to reflect further upon it in the light of new social and cultural developments .
Hermann Häring’s extensive body of work reflects his wide-ranging intellectual interests. *Das Problem des Bösen in der Theologie* (1985) became a classic for anyone engaged with theodicy. However, his critical work Theologie und Ideologie bei Joseph Ratzinger (2001) became better known to the general public. In it, he offers a critical analysis of the theological thinking of his former lecturer at Tübingen. Once Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, Häring could not help but follow this up with a new publication: Im Namen des Herrn. Wohin der Papst die Kirche führt (2009). Original and critical engagement is also evident in Freiheit im Haus des Herrn: Vom Ende der klerikalen Weltkirche (2011) and Keine Christen zweiter Klasse!: Wiederverheiratete Geschiedene (2014). Earlier, there had been monographs, and others were to follow. In addition, he published numerous articles on ecumenism, global ethics, interreligious dialogue and the future of Christianity in Europe in internationally renowned journals and theological anthologies.
For many years, Hermann Häring was also an advocate for and one of the key figures behind the international theological journal *Concilium*. In doing so, he followed in the footsteps of his mentor Hans Küng and Edward Schillebeeckx, who had founded the journal in 1965 together with Yves Congar, Karl Rahner and others. Within Concilium, Häring played a significant role in the international debate on church renewal, pluralism, ecumenism and the social responsibility of religion. To this day, the journal remains an important forum for critical and cross-boundary theology, published in six languages.
With the passing of Hermann Häring, Radboud University has lost a scholar who viewed science as a form of responsibility: towards the truth, towards society and towards human dignity. In that light, it is not surprising that he remained particularly active long after his retirement, including within the intellectually critical community Wir sind Kirche. Colleagues remember him as a loyal and erudite discussion partner; students as a lecturer who knew how to combine intellectual curiosity with personal attention and academic freedom. His work and intellectual legacy live on in the many students, colleagues and readers he has inspired. Radboud University owes him a great debt of gratitude for this. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all those who feel connected to him.
The funeral will take place on Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 1.00 pm in the funeral hall at Tübingen’s Bergfriedhof.