Helmut Linnenbrink, Honorary Chairman of the “Benedikt Prize of Mönchengladbach” association, has been awarded the Order of Merit of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. He received the state’s high honour from Deputy Minister-President Mona Neubaur. The citation states: In 2012, Helmut Linnenbrink decided to initiate the relaunch of the Benedikt Prize, which had been discontinued in Mönchengladbach in 2010, and to continue the tradition dating back to 1968. In 2013, he founded the “Benedikt Prize of Mönchengladbach” association. Helmut Linnenbrink served as the association’s chairman until 2022. In addition, from 2007 to 2019 he was Deputy Chairman of the academic association promoting Christian social teaching, “Ordo socialis”, and was active on the board of the Association of Catholic Entrepreneurs.
Mona Neubaur continued: “We have Helmut Linnenbrink to thank for the fact that the Benedikt Prize of Mönchengladbach is being awarded again. The prize had been discontinued in 2010. But Helmut Linnenbrink would not accept that. He was guided by the idea of Saint Benedict: ‘Ora et labora’ – ‘Pray and work’. That is what Helmut Linnenbrink did, bringing the tradition of the award back to life. The prize honours people who act on the basis of values and shape Western culture.”
The laureates set exemplary standards in science, politics, society and culture—pioneering and inspiring. Queen Silvia of Sweden, journalist Dunja Hayali and former Federal President Joachim Gauck are among the laureates.
Helmut Linnenbrink assembled a high-calibre board of trustees and secured many companies as sponsors. In this way, he succeeded in making the prize known far beyond the city limits today.
In 2015, he launched the Junior Prize, demonstrating that young people, too, can make a great difference—and that youthful commitment holds great strength for the future.
Helmut Linnenbrink also served as Deputy Chairman of “Ordo socialis” from 2007 to 2019, an academic association promoting Christian social teaching. The Association of Catholic Entrepreneurs can also rely on Helmut Linnenbrink’s commitment. He served on its board and, in 2008, initiated the “Politics – Church – Business” format—a working group in which senior representatives from politics, the churches and business exchange views.
You have done a great deal for your home city of Mönchengladbach and for our country.”
Photo: State of NRW / Ralph Sondermann
