When it comes to papal appointments, you shall know them by their fruits.
Pope Leo XIV has appointed the former auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Friburgo (Germany), Christian Würtz, as the new bishop of the Diocese of Eichstätt (Bavaria, Germany). At 55 years of age, he succeeds Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke and becomes the youngest diocesan bishop in Germany.
The appointment, announced this Tuesday by the Holy See, ends the period of vacant see that began after Hanke’s early resignation at Pentecost 2025. The official proclamation took place in Eichstätt Cathedral during the feast of Saint Willibald, founder of the diocese.
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In his first words after learning of the Pope’s decision, Würtz expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him. “I am pleased with my new task. I hope to put my experience and abilities at the service of building the Kingdom of God and to walk together with the people of this diocese,” he said.
In September 2022, he voted in favor of the document proposing a doctrinal reassessment of homosexuality, which stated that homosexual orientation is not a personal choice and called for greater welcome and integration of homosexual persons in ecclesial life.
In the same assembly, he also supported the text on so-called “gender diversity,” which urged dioceses to review various pastoral and administrative aspects to facilitate the inclusion of transgender and intersex persons.
Months later, in March 2023, he again voted in favor of the document proposing the introduction of blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples and for divorced and remarried persons, one of the most controversial initiatives of the Synodal Way.
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