Bishop Hanke resigns: a life between faith and ecology

Bishop Hanke resigns: a life between faith and ecology

Eichstätt, Deutschland - The resignation of Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke, Bishop of Eichstätt, was announced on Pentecost Sunday. Hanke explained that his decision resulted from a longer spiritual struggle. He was over 30 years in management, including 13 years as a Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey Plankstetten and almost 19 years as a bishop. Pope Francis accepted the resignation "Nunc Pro Tunc", which means that an appointment for the resignation still has to be determined.

Hanke, who was born in Elbersroth in 1954, studied theology and English in Eichstätt and also had studies in London and Oxford. After a short job as a religion teacher, he joined the Benedictine Abbey Plankstetten in 1981 and was elected to the monastery in 1993. On December 2, 2006, he was consecrated to the 82nd Bishop of Eichstätt and also took over the office of Grand Chancellor of the Catholic University (KU) Eichstätt-Ingolstadt.

appreciation of his commitment

Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, paid tribute to Hanke's work in a letter. He emphasized that Hanke brought his knowledge into advice on his experiences as a Benedictine and was an important lawyer for the KU. Hanke actively campaigned in the Commission for Marriage and Family and the Commission for Science and Culture of the German Bishops' Conference. His four -week job as a representative of the DBK at the bishop's synod over the Middle East is also recognized.

particularly worth mentioning is Hanke's commitment to ecology and sustainability, a topic that he also represented during his time as a abbot of the Plankstetten Abbey. He initiated a climate offensive for his diocese over ten years ago and the Catholic University has taken over sustainability as a cross -sectional task in teaching, research and campus life. In this context, the publication "Our commitment to the future of creation- climate and environmental protection report 2021", which includes various recommendations for ecology and sustainable development.

project after the resignation

After his resignation, Hanke plans to return to pastoral care as Father Gregor and to work directly with people. He wants to accompany beliefs in a pastoral room outside the diocese and prepare for the sacraments. His commitment to the concerns of agriculture and ecology is valued by many, and his work leaves a lasting impression in the region.

Hanke has worked in various leading functions for the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, which underlines its strong commitment to education and science. The resignation, which has now taken place at his own request, marks the end of an era in which Hanke contributed significantly to the profiling of the theological faculty.

For his further work as a pastor, he enjoys the recognition of his colleagues. His sincere open -mindedness for the challenges of the present and its commitment to the responsibility of creation will be remembered.

The following links are helpful for further information on his person and for the climate and environmental work of the bishops' conference: Katholische" University , katholisch.de and dbk .