Completely traumatised Diocese of Head of German Catholic Bishops

 Limburg's Bishop Bätzing reflects on his predecessor

"Trauma in this Diocese"

Succeeding Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst was a major challenge for Limburg's Bishop Georg Bätzing. He speaks of a trauma that still exists today. Therefore, he sees himself in the role of mediator.

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For the Catholic Bishop of Limburg, Georg Bätzing, succeeding Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst was a major challenge. When Bätzing took over the office in Limburg in 2016, he thought: "This is more than you can handle," as he told rbb-Inforadio on Tuesday. "There is still a trauma in this diocese: the broken relationship of trust between the bishop and the people of God."

Bätzing quickly realized that he had to win people back. "I have to convey to them: I am one of you and not standing beside or above you," the bishop said. He succeeded in doing so, as many Limburg residents had placed their trust in him – "and that is the absolute capital of my profession." People want to follow the bishop's path forward, and this is no different in Limburg than elsewhere.

The Church can offer people support

Furthermore, Bätzing, who is also chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, observes a decline in institutionalized, clearly formed religiosity in society. This phenomenon is due to the fact that people "have never been as free as they are today." The fact that people have complete control over their lives and can shape them freely "has never, I believe, existed in such a long period of time," Bätzing said. "And for that, I am very, very grateful."

However, the price for this individualization is a degree of homelessness: "Religion provides a home, security, and orientation. For those who abandon it, it becomes more difficult to find direction in their own lives." The family is a place where people can find support. Larger models based on family structures, such as the church, can offer this. Bätzing emphasizes that politicians also seek guidance and expect it from church representatives. "We are a lobby group. We are heard in legislative processes and can take a stand," Bätzing says. "We can help give individuals some guidance in their responsibility. And I would like to do that personally."

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