Pope Frans Accepts Bishop Gebhard Fürst's Resignation
Pope Francis has given his official seal of approval to Bishop Gebhard Fürst's decision to step down from his position as Bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart due to reaching the ripe old age of 75. This revelation was shared by the Holy See on a Monday. Höchstperson in the Catholic church retires at the age of 75 as per the church's Canon law.
After 23 years of holding the prestigious position of Bishop in the Rottenburg-Stuttgart diocese, Fürst was treated to a ceremonial farewell on his 75th birthday, which fell on Saturday. Representatives from politics, the church, and society attended the event, offering warm birthday wishes and acknowledging Fürst's significant contributions to the third-largest diocese in Germany after Cologne and Münster, which comprises around 1.7 million individuals. He has been at the helm of the diocese for the longest stretch since 2000.
With Pope Francis accepting Fürst's resignation, the Bishop's seat in the Rottenburg-Stuttgart diocese now lies vacant. The cathedral chapter of the diocese has scheduled a vote to appoint a diocesan administrator on Monday afternoon. This individual will maintain control over the diocese during the sede vacante - a period that ensues when a diocese is left uncared for by a regular bishop.
Relevant Insights:
The selection process for a new bishop following the resignation of Bishop Gebhard Fürst in the Rottenburg-Stuttgart diocese due to reaching the obligatory retirement age of 75 in Catholic canon law involves the following steps:
- The bishop formally submits his resignation to the Vatican, which is often prompted by reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75.
- The Pope officially accepts the resignation and initiates the process of selecting a new bishop.
- The local bishops' conference, in this scenario, the German Bishops' Conference, collaborates with the Vatican to shortlist potential candidates. The Vatican can also offer recommendations on the selection procedure.
- The local bishops' conference submits a list of qualified candidates, typically senior priests or bishops with proven leadership skills and pastoral experience, for the Pope's consideration.
- The Pope selects one of the proposed candidates and appoints him as the new bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. The Pope makes this decision after consulting with the local bishops and taking into account the diocese's specific needs and characteristics.
- The new bishop is officially installed, often with a ceremony involving the local clergy and congregation.
The selection process can take anywhere between six to twelve weeks, although this timeline may be affected by various factors such as the availability of candidates, the intricacy of the selection process, and the scheduling of the inauguration ceremony.
Additional Information:
Further Reading:
Bishop Gebhard Fürst, a prominent figure in German Catholicism, has resigned from his 23-year long post as Bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75. Pope Francis approved the bishop's resignation, triggering the vacancy of the bishopric. A diocesan administrator will be appointed temporarily during the sede vacante period, until a new bishop is selected.
The bishop's departure was marked by a ceremonial farewell attended by representatives from politics, the church, and society. They praised his dedication to the third-largest diocese in Germany, which has a congregation of about 1.7 million people.
With Pope Francis' acceptance of Fürst's resignation, the see of the Rottenburg-Stuttgart diocese is vacant. The cathedral chapter of the diocese planned a vote on Monday afternoon to determine the diocesan administrator, who will oversee the diocese during the sede vacante period.
Footnotes:
[1]: Other factors contributing to the selection process may include the cultural, religious, and social contexts of the diocese, as well as the bishop's personal attributes and charisma.
[2]: A variety of resources are available to assist the local bishops' conference in selecting an appropriate candidate, including the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops and the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
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