New Bamberg archbishop - Gössl: Joint use of buildings conceivable
The newly appointed Archbishop of Bamberg, Herwig Gössl, can imagine a permanent joint use of buildings by the Catholic and Protestant churches in the future as part of ecumenism. "Anything is conceivable. Both denominations have too many buildings, so joint use makes sense," Gössl told the Nürnberger Zeitung and Nürnberger Nachrichten newspapers. "I would even go so far as to consider the use of public spaces in a community. A lot will have to be possible."
When asked about two pending demands for reforms in the Catholic Church, the ordination of women to the priesthood and the abolition of celibacy, the former Bamberg auxiliary bishop rejected both. "I'll tell you quite honestly that I can't imagine it at the moment," said Gössl with regard to the ordination of women to the priesthood. "I don't think the arguments for it are valid."
He does not consider celibacy to be superfluous, but rather appropriate and in keeping with the profession, Gössl told the newspapers. There are also married priests in the Catholic Church - in the united oriental churches, for example. "That doesn't make them worse priests. But what can make us stand out in society today? I fear that without celibacy we will become religious civil servants, administrators. I don't want that."
The 56-year-old Gössl was appointed the new Archbishop of Bamberg by Pope Francis last Saturday. The episcopal see of Bamberg had been vacant since November 2022, when Ludwig Schick retired. Gössl had previously worked as diocesan administrator at the head of the archdiocese.
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- In Upper Franconia, where Bamberg is located, the Catholic Church and its new archbishop, Herwig Gössl, are exploring the concept of joint utilization of buildings with their Protestant counterparts.
- The Nuremberg newspaper, 'Nuremberg News', reported on the prospect of shared church buildings, citing GöSSL's belief in the possibilities of ecumenism.
- Despite being appointed as the Archbishop of Bamberg, Gössl remains against the ordination of women as priests and the abolition of celibacy within the Church, as he argued against these reforms in the same Nuremberg newspapers.
- The Catholic Church in Bavaria, specifically the episcopal see of Bamberg, has seen a change in leadership with the retirement of Ludwig Schick and Pope Francis's appointment of Herwig Gössl as the new archbishop.
- The joint use of Church buildings in Nuremberg, as proposed by Gössl, could also potentially include the utilization of public spaces in the community, signaling a shift in how churches engage with society.
- Herwig Gössl, the Archbishop of Bamberg, also acknowledged that although celibacy is not imperative, it plays a crucial role in setting the Catholic Church apart from religious civil servants or administrators.
- Even in the existence of married priests, such as in the united oriental churches, Gössl believes that celibacy remains an essential aspect of the Catholic Church's identity and purpose.
Source: www.stern.de
