Church - Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Gebhard Fürst
Pope Francis has officially accepted the resignation of Gebhard Fürst, Bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, due to his age. This was announced by the Holy See on Monday. The reason for Fürst's resignation, which he forwarded to Rome some time ago, was his 75th birthday on Saturday. A Catholic bishop retires from office at the age of 75. Canon law prescribes this.
After 23 years as bishop of the Rottenburg-Stuttgart diocese, Fürst was given a ceremonial farewell on his birthday on Saturday. Numerous representatives from politics, church and society congratulated Fürst on his birthday and paid tribute to his work as bishop of the third largest diocese in Germany after Cologne and Münster, to which around 1.7 million people belong. He was the longest-serving bishop to lead it since 2000.
With the Pope's official acceptance of his resignation, the episcopal see of the Rottenburg-Stuttgart diocese is vacant. However, the cathedral chapter of the diocese has announced that it will elect the diocesan administrator on Monday afternoon. This person will administer the diocese during the so-called sede vacante - the period in which the diocese is not headed by a regular bishop.
Read also:
Gebhard Fürst, a prominent personality in Religion from Baden-Württemberg, Germany, served as the Bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart for 23 years. His resignation, triggered by his reaching the age of 75, was accepted by Pope Francis at the Vatican. This followed the canonical rule that Catholic bishops retire at 75.
The Bishop's birthday, celebrated on Saturday, was marked with a ceremonial farewell, attended by representatives from politics, church, and society, who praised Fürst's dedication to his role as the leader of the third largest diocese in Germany.
The Pope's acceptance of Fürst's resignation has left the episcopal see of Rottenburg-Stuttgart vacant. The cathedral chapter of the diocese has scheduled a vote to elect a diocesan administrator for Monday afternoon. During this time, known as sede vacante, the administrator will oversee the diocese until a new bishop is appointed.
Source: www.stern.de
