A German bishop resigned five years before the typical retirement age Sunday, citing “inner fatigue” and expressing doubts that the country’s “synodal way” will lead to true renewal.
Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke, 70, stood down as the Bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria, southern Germany June 8, saying he hoped to serve as a pastor, be known as “Fr. Gregor,” and no longer wear episcopal insignia.
Hanke was one of four German diocesan bishops to criticize the country’s controversial synodal way, which called for sweeping changes to Catholic teaching and practice, and to reject plans to establish a national synodal body with extensive powers over the Church in Germany.
Hanke, a Benedictine monk who has led the diocese with more than 350,000 Catholics since 2006, told diocesan employees in a June 8 letter that his decision to resign had a “long history.”
“I am now in my 19th year as Bishop of Eichstätt and, in terms of years of service, rank third among the diocesan bishops of the German bishops’ conference,” wrote Hanke, who became the nation’s youngest bishop when he was appointed to Eichstätt at the age of 52.
“However, I do not want to hide the fact that after the many challenges, scandals, and unresolved conflicts, which were not lacking during my time as bishop, I feel an inner fatigue.”
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