Private information - Osnabrück's Mayor Sees Bishop's Arrival in "Troubled Period"
Katharina Pötter, the mayor of Osnabrück, is hoping that Dominicus Meier's election as the new bishop of Osnabrück will breathe new life into the Catholic Church. Meier, a 64-year-old former auxiliary bishop of Paderborn, is arriving in a time of crisis for the Catholic Church when many faithful in Germany have become disillusioned with the ecclesiastical institution. The church in Osnabrück has also experienced a decline in its membership. "We need bridge builders, and I'm confident that Bishop Meier is one of them," said Pötter, a CDU politician.
Georg Bätzing, the head of the German Bishops' Conference, praised the appointment of Meier as an outstanding choice by those involved. Bätzing believes Meier will be a bishop who "reaches out to people, aids seekers, provides answers to inquirers, and boosts the morale of the unsure," as per the church statement.
Meier will be replacing Franz-Josef Bode, who resigned on March 25, 2023. Bode stepped down due to errors in his handling of sexual abuse cases during his 27-year tenure in the diocese. He became the first German bishop to leave his position in relation to the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church.
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- Born and raised in Lower Saxony, Bishop-elect Meier spent several years serving as an auxiliary bishop in Paderborn, a city located in North Rhine-Westphalia, both regions in Germany.
- The Vatican announced Meier's appointment as the new bishop of Osnabrück, which is located in the same federal state as Paderborn, and is known for its rich history and being a member of the Bishops' Conference of Germany.
- During his tenure at Paderborn, Bishop Meier gained a reputation for his personal details, such as his strong connection to the local community and his commitment to addressing issues within the Church.
- As the new bishop of Osnabrück, Meier will be expected to collaborate closely with the German Bishops' Conference, focusing on strengthening the Church's standing and promoting spiritual growth in the region.
- Prior to the election, Bishop Meier had served as a bishop in the Church of Osnabrück for several years, where he gained valuable experience in handling administrative duties and engaging with the diocese's diverse population.
Source: www.stern.de
