Bishop Hanke steps back: away for Father Gregor and a new beginning!

Bishop Hanke steps back: away for Father Gregor and a new beginning!

Eichstätt, Deutschland - On Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke has announced his resignation. The 70-year-old clergyman has headed the Diocese of Eichstätt since his consecration in 2006. Pope Francis was accepted by Pope Francis shortly before his death and officially confirmed in the Vatican. Hanke intends to work as a simple pastor under the name Father Gregor in the future and dispenses with all bishop's insignia.

In a personal letter to the employees of the diocese, Hanke called his motives for resignation, including the desire for pastoral care and inner discussion. The bishop had to overcome numerous challenges during his term, including several abuse cases, conflicts within the university management and a financial scandal with an estimated damage of over $ 45 million. These burdens led to an "inner fatigue", which significantly influenced his decision.

his time in Eichstätt

Gregor Hanke is often described as a conservative and reform -critical bishop. During his tenure, he blocked many reform efforts within the Catholic Church, including the synodal path, which is aiming for a profound reform of the church. This attitude meets growing resistance from various Catholic associations and reform initiatives, which are strong for a deep reappraisal of abuse cases and for modernizing the church. For example, 14 Catholic organizations advocate the continuation of the synodal processes in Germany in order to strengthen the credibility of the Church and to reduce barriers

Hanke, who points out that he has served for many years in church management responsibility - initially as a Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey Plankstetten - leaves a vacancy on the episcopal chair after his resignation. The cathedral chapter is asked to choose a diocesan administrator within eight days, while Pope Leo XIV will make a new bishop.

Future view and farewell

The official farewell of Gregor Hanke will take place on July 6, 2025 as part of a snack. Despite his resignation, Hanke does not want a big farewell and looks back on his time in Eichstätt. In his message, he announced that in the future he would like to accompany people on questions of faith and to prepare them for the sacraments. This shows his endeavor to be closer to humans again and to work directly in pastoral care.

with Hanke's resignation and the prevailing reform pressure within the church are both the diocese of Eichstätt and the Catholic Church in Germany at a critical turning point. The Catholic Day in Erfurt has shown that the church can still be relevant today and calls for a serious examination of its structural and social challenges.

The debate and the discourse within the church remain tense, while Catholic reform groups and associations urge deeper participation and reforms. A future -oriented dialogue about the role of the bishops and a real participation of the church people are essential issues for the further development of the Catholic Church in Germany.