Prostitute priest awarded for his life-long dedication
The dedicated, life-long, unselfish work of an octogenarian Catholic Priest, Father Hermann Klein-Hitpass was publicly honoured this week when the Rotary Club Windhoek bestowed a fellowship on him.
Rotary International, through the Rotary Club Windhoek, honoured Father Hermann Klein-Hitpass with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award. President Hans Kriess of the Rotary Club Windhoek presented the award to Father Hermann in the catholic hospital in Windhoek where he is currently residing.
The Paul Harris Fellowship, named after the founder of Rotary, was started in recognition of Rotarians who contributed significantly to the Rotary Foundation. From the late 1970s onward the award was also given to members of the public who distinguished themselves through extraordinary service to the community. Famous Paul Harris Fellows include US President Jimmy Carter, astronaut Jim Lovell and UN Secretary General Perez de Cuellar.
Father Herman received the award for his decades long commitment to uplift the poor, the sick and the vulnerable in Namibia and in particularly for highlighting the plight of sex workers in Katutura and offering them support and consolation without judgement.
Father Joseph of St Mary’s parish in Windhoek lauded the example that Father Hermann has set for young priests, emphasising the importance of the cloth to always assist those in need, no matter their background or predicament.
The Rotary Club Windhoek is Namibia’s oldest rotary club with the biggest number of members.
