Georg Bätzing

Georg Bätzing (born 13 April 1961) is a German Catholic theologian who has been Bishop of Limburg since 2016 and chairman of the German Bishops' Conference since March 2020.

The Most Reverend

Georg Bätzing
Bishop of Limburg
Georg Bätzing in 2009
ChurchRoman Catholic
SeeLimburg
PredecessorFranz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst
Orders
Ordination18 July 1987
Consecration18 September 2016
by Hermann Josef Spital
Personal details
Born (1961-04-13) 13 April 1961
Kirchen, Germany
Coat of arms

Early life and career

Bätzing was born in Kirchen and grew up in Niederfischbach.[1] He was an altar boy, sang in the church choir and served as an organist there.[2] After his Abitur, he entered the major seminary of the Diocese of Trier. He studied theology and philosophy at Trier University and Freiburg University,[3] graduating in 1985.[4]

As deacon he was assigned to Sankt Wendel. He was ordained a priest in Trier on 18 July 1987 by Bishop Hermann Josef Spital.[5] He worked as assistant priest (Kaplan) at the pilgrimage church Maria Heimsuchung in Klausen and in the parish of St. Josef in Koblenz until 1990. He then was vice-rector (Subregens) of the Trier major seminary until 1996.[6] That same year he received his doctorate and became rector (Regens) of the seminary.[3][7] One of his functions was the organization of the Heilig-Rock-Wallfahrt in Trier in 2012, a pilgrimage to the most important relic of the Trier Cathedral, the seamless robe of Jesus, which was displayed in the cathedral from 13 April 2012 for the first time since 1996.[8]

On 1 November 2012, Bätzing was appointed vicar general of the Diocese of Trier.

Bishop

In 2016, he was elected by the Limburg Cathedral chapter (Domkapitel) to succeed Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst as bishop of Limburg. He was appointed by Pope Francis on 1 July 2016.[6][7] He was consecrated by Archbishop Rainer Woelki of Cologne on 18 September 2016.

Since 3 March 2020, Bätzing has been chairman of the German Bishops' Conference.[9]

Positions

In 2019, Bätzing said that he would support a voluntary celibacy of priests.[10] Bätzing supports the ordination of women in the Catholic church.[11]

Against the traditional Catholic stance, he has supported the secular legalisation civic marriage between homosexual people who are "faithful in their relationship".[12]

Publications

Doctoral dissertation:

  • Kirche im Werden. Ekklesiologische Aspekte des Läuterungsgedankens, Trierer theologische Studien 56, Trier: Paulinus, 1996, ISBN 978-3-7902-1284-6

Spiritual writings and published homilies

  • Die Eucharistie als Opfer der Kirche (1986)
  • Suchbewegungen (2000)
  • Helfer im Einsatz Gottes (2001)
  • Der Kreuzweg Jesu Christi (2003)
  • Bleib doch bei uns, Herr (2005)
  • Das Leben ausloten (2006)
  • Gott der kleinen Leute (2007)
  • Es gibt keine größere Liebe (2007)
  • Nachgefragt. Hilfen zum Verständnis des christlichen Glaubens (2008)
  • Beten üben. Anleitung zu einer christlichen Gebetspraxis (2009)
  • Das Trierer Christusgebet. Entstehung, Auslegung und Praxis eines Elementes bistumseigener Gebetstradition (2010)
  • Jesus Christus, Heiland und Erlöser. Impulse auf dem Weg der Erlösung (2011)

References
  1. "Georg Bätzing wird Bischof von Limburg / Papst Franziskus ernennt Trierer Generalvikar" (in German). Diocese of Limburg. 1 July 2016. Archived from the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  2. "Autor: Georg Bätzing" (in German). Diocese of Limburg. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  3. "Other Pontifical Acts, 01.07.2016". Holy See Press Office. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  4. "Georg Bätzing wird Bischof von Limburg" (in German). Diocese of Limburg. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  5. "Auf 25 Jahre Priesterdienst zurückgeblickt / Domkapitular Dr. Georg Bätzing aus Niederfischbach feiert beim Gebetstag" (in German). Niederfischbach. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  6. "Nomina del Vescovo di Limburg (Germania)". Bolletino (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  7. "Georg Bätzing wird neuer Bischof in Limburg". Die Zeit (in German). 1 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  8. ""Wir zählen jetzt rückwärts auf die Wallfahrt zu" / Ein Jahr vor der Heilig-Rock-Wallfahrt: Vorfreude im gesamten Bistum" (in German). Niederfischbach. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  9. SWR Aktuell (3 March 2020). "Bätzing ist neuer Vorsitzender der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz" (in German). Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  10. Katholisch.de: Bätzing: Zölibat wertvoll - aber besser freiwillig, February 20, 2019
  11. Katholisch.de: Bischof Bätzing ist neuer Vorsitzender der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz, March 3, 2020
  12. Fritzen, Florentine (12 April 2020). ""Das Leben wird wieder aufblühen"". Franfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 30 December 2020.
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