Disgraced Synodal Bishop relativises his errors

Former Bishop Bode sums up his time in office

Bishop Emeritus of Osnabrück looks back on happy events, some darkness and unanswered questions.

Franz-Josef Bode spoke out for the first time after his resignation in a guest article for the Osnabrücker Kirchenbote.

The former Bishop of the Diocese of Osnabrück, Franz-Josef Bode, has spoken publicly for the first time after his resignation from office was accepted by Pope Francis at the end of March in a pre-published guest article for the Diocesan newspaper "Kirchenbote". In it, before his official farewell next Sunday, he drew a first conclusion of his 27-year term as bishop of the north-west German diocese.

Beyond isolated setbacks and the loss of trust due to abuse in the diocese, he remains "a little proud of these more than 27 years", Bode said in the article. "I can only say that I am still in deep peace with the decision, surprising for many, to ask the Pope to accept my resignation." Now, the bishop emeritus said, he looks back on many "joyful and luminous events, many a darkness and even more unanswered questions".

Trust in church and bishop lost

After the foundation of the Archdiocese of Hamburg in 1994, the previous Bishop of Osnabrück, Ludwig Averkamp, had become Archbishop of Hamburg. The Osnabrück diocese had ceded large parts of its territory to the new archdiocese. Bode writes that in 1995 he found a much smaller diocese that was in mourning over the division. Coming from the outside, he looked forward and found much to like in the smaller diocese with its very different pastoral areas. Furthermore, the former bishop recalls the numerous pastoral discussions in which the diocese was reorganised. Bode counts the Katholikentag 2008 in Osnabrück among the pleasing events. 

With regard to the abuse scandal, Bode literally writes: "Only slowly did I really understand where my responsibility lay and how I did not always perceive it correctly." This had forfeited a lot of trust in the Church, in those responsible for it and also in him as a bishop. According to Bode, the wave of church departures expressed this irritation about the behaviour of the diocese and increased the evaporation of faith that had already been going on for a long time.

Continuing to contribute pastorally and spiritually

In his article for the Osnabrücker Kirchenzeitung, the Bishop emphasises that he is disappointed that the dialogue with Rome has not been more intensive. "It would have saved many a letter from there," the 72-year-old said verbatim. The bishop emeritus continues to pin his hopes on the upcoming two assemblies of the World Synod in autumn this year and next year.

Even after his retirement, Bode will remain a resident of Osnabrück. As he writes, he would like to "contribute a little more pastorally and spiritually".  On 21 January, Franz Josef Bode offered his resignation as Bishop of Osnabrück to Pope Francis. Bode had publicly ruled out a resignation several times before. In this context, he had described it as part of his responsibility not to offer his resignation to the Pope. Since December 2022, Bode had already been the subject of a complaint under canon law by the North German Advisory Council for Victims of Abuse for breaches of duty in dealing with abuse cases.  The former Bishop of Osnabrück will officially take his leave on 4 June with a service in the cathedral.

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