Abbot Johannes Eckert
In 2015, Abbot Johannes Eckert was confirmed by his fellow brothers as the eighth abbot of Saint Boniface and 33rd abbot in Andechs for another twelve years in office.
Claudius Eckert, the given name of Abbot Johannes, born in Mosbach in 1969, graduated from the Nicolaus-Kistner-Gymnasium there in 1988. He completed his civilian service from 1988 to 1990 at the Vinzentinum hospital with the Merciful Sisters in Ruhpolding. Then he studied Catholic theology at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. He joined Saint Boniface Abbey in 1993 and received the name Johannes when he made his first vows.
He made his ceremonial vows at Andechs in 1998, permanently binding himself to the monastic community. Johannes Eckert attended the Andechs exercises for managers starting in 1995 and has advised numerous midsize enterprises and organisations on ethical matters since then. In the year 2000, Brother Johannes was awarded his Doctor of Theology degree at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich with a work entitled: “Serving instead of ruling. Company culture and monastic spirituality”. He was ordained to the priesthood in Andechs that same year and then worked in pastoral care in Erling and Machtlfing.
On 23 July 2003, the monks elected him as abbot for a twelve-year term in office. Abbot Friedrich Cardinal Wetter ordained him on 2 October 2003 at Saint Boniface Basilica. As the motto for his service, Abbot Johannes chose words from chapter four of the Rule of Saint Benedict: “Diligere ex toto corde” – “Love with all your heart”. The monks confirmed him for another twelve years in office as abbot in 2015.
Internal strengthening – external dialogue
Abbot Johannes considers it his primary mission to internally strengthen the monastic community. He personally accompanies young men interested in life as a monk since it is very important to him for applicants, postulants and novices to practice the Benedictine spirituality in depth.
Abbot Johannes simultaneously maintains a trusting and open dialogue with all social groups associated with the abbey in Munich and Andechs – across the divides of denominations and religions.