Leo XIV accepts in Pentecost the resignation of a 70 -year -old bishop in Germany

Pope Leo XIV accepted this Sunday, solemnity of Pentecost, the resignation of Mons. Gregor Maria Hanke, Bishop of Eichstätt, at 70 years, 5 less than the retirement age for bishops. Hanke, Benedictino, was one of the four prelates who, after several warnings of the Vatican, stopped participating in the controversial German Synodal road.

“The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of the pastoral government of the Diocese of Eichstätt (Germany), presented by Seo. Gregor María Hanke, OSB,” said the press office of the press of the Vaticanwithout giving further details about it.

The diocese of Eichstätt said in A note that Hanke’s request had already been accepted by Pope Francis “shortly before Easter.” At that time, the Pontiff was already seriously ill but decided that Hanke would remain in office until a precise date for the resignation was determined, what has happened today.

The reasons for the renunciation of the Benedictine Bishop

In A letter Aimed at the staff of his diocese, Mons. Hanke said: “I would have liked to inform them of the reasons for my application and the corresponding date in advance, as is usual in other important personnel decisions. However, due to the Roman directives, this was not possible before the official start of my retirement.”

As reported CNA DeustchEwtn News German agency, the bishop also spoke of the background of his resignation: “The more my 70th birthday approached, I wondered more intensely, after more than 30 years of service in high responsibility, it would not be time to leave it.”

“For more than 13 years I was abbot of Plankstetten, during an exciting and equally challenging transformation of the monastery. Now I fulfill 19 years as Bishop of Eichstätt and, in terms of years of service, occupy the third place among the diocesan bishops of the German Episcopal Conference.”

“I do not want to hide that after so many challenges, scandals and unresolved conflicts, which did not miss during my stage as a bishop, I feel an inner fatigue,” admitted the Benedictine prelate.

After pointing out that the Catholic Church in Germany has a good structure and organization, Hanke questioned: “To what extent does our ‘system’ of the Church in Germany are spiritually fruitful, so that it promotes a new beginning through the power of the gospel lived and contributes to the sanctification of the world?”

Mons. Georg Bätzing, president of the German Episcopal Conference (DBK) and promoter of the Synod Camino, thanked Hanke “his participation in the synodal path of the Church in Germany” despite “all the tensions he has mentioned recently” and wished him “all the best, much strength, the blessing of God and much health”, in this new stage.

Bishop Hanke said he hopes to serve as the “Father Gregor” in a pastoral area outside the Diocese of Eichstätt, and then return to his monastic community. He also said that he hopes a simple ceremony is done on July 6 when he officially says goodbye to his diocese. This, he said, to make a “prudent use of financial resources” due “to the shortage of funds.”

What is the German Synodal Way?

The controversial synodal path – which has coincided with the massive abandonment of faithful of the Catholic Church in Germany – is a process that cost several million dollars, which not only sought to establish a permanent synodal advice that supervises its conclusions, but approved resolutions based on gender ideology, contrary to the Catholic doctrine.

The German Synodal Way has supported the priestly ordination of women, the blessing of same -sex couples, as well as changes in the teaching of the Church about the morality of sexual acts.

On more than one occasion Pope Francis has addressed the bishops of Germany to specify his procedure; while various bishops and cardinals have warned of the danger of schism.