German Bishop Nann surprisely resigns as Bishop of Caravelí (Peru) on "health" grounds

 63-year-old plans extended leave

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation request of Bishop Reinhold Nann (Caravelí). The Baden native cited health reasons for his resignation – and will now come to Germany for the time being.

Bishop Reinhold Nann is surprisingly resigning as Bishop of the Peruvian prelature of Caravelí. Pope Francis has accepted the Baden native's corresponding request. The news of the 63-year-old's departure, announced this morning in the Vatican Bulletin, is moving not only the faithful in Caravelí. Nann's Facebook page and a corresponding publication by the prelature quickly received more than 100 well-wishes for the priest – from all parts of Peru.

The reason for his resignation is apparently his poor health. In a personal statement, Nann writes that he began his ministry as Bishop of Caravelí with great enthusiasm. "Over time, these responsibilities have brought me stress and high blood pressure, in addition to some disappointments. Since the time of COVID, my physical and mental health has deteriorated, and I clearly feel that I no longer have the strength for this ministry."

After several examinations, the doctors advised him to take some time off and recover. Therefore, he decided to resign from the episcopal office and take a sabbatical at his parents' home and in the Recollectio House of Münsterschwarzach Abbey. The Recollectio House is a facility where pastors can gather and receive support during physically, mentally, and spiritually challenging moments. Nann says he will decide what comes after this time through prayer and reflection.

A lot has been accomplished

Looking back on his seven years at the helm of the Caravelí Prelature, he writes that much has been accomplished: "a pastoral plan for the gradual renewal of the prelature, the reintroduction of family catechesis in several parishes, the establishment of parish Charity groups in almost all parishes, a priestly solidarity fund, two support centers for family violence, the introduction of prevention protocols in all parishes, three priestly ordinations, and a reorganization of the administration of the Episcopal Office of Education (ODEC)..." However, with regard to his own work, he writes self-critically: "With my impatience and impetuosity, I have probably also caused some damage, for which I sincerely apologize."

In addition to his duties in the diocese, Reinhold Nann also held a number of positions at the national level. He was president of Caritas Peru, vice president of the partnership between the Archdiocese of Freiburg and the Catholic Church in Peru, served as episcopal advisor to the Family Catechesis Movement, was a member of the Episcopal Commission for the Protection of Minors, and was active in the Schoenstatt Movement.

Well over 100 well-wishes on social media paint a picture of "Monseñor Reynaldo" as a very popular clergyman. "It saddens me that you are leaving our country, but I hope your health is improving," wrote a woman from the Archdiocese of Trujillo, where Nann worked for several years. A young man promised: "We pray for your speedy recovery and hope that you will return to Caravelí again." Another user expressed understanding for the resignation – and offered self-criticism: "Sometimes we as lay people don't understand the dedication and commitment they take on as priests, and even more so as bishops, and the great responsibility they bear. We must ask for forgiveness 😔 because we often fail to understand or help."

Reinhold Nann, born in 1960, was ordained a priest in 1987 and a bishop in 2017.

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