Former Bishop of Speyer bids farewell in emotional service

Karl-Heinz Wiesemann, the former bishop of Speyer, held an emotional farewell service in the Speyer Cathedral on Sunday. Approximately 1,200 faithful and representatives from the church, politics, and society attended the event. Wiesemann expressed deep sentiment upon seeing the large gathering in the cathedral. He stated that the people of the Palatinate made his tenure easier through their great engagement, critical accompaniment, and goodwill, for which he is very grateful.

In his farewell sermon, Wiesemann called on everyone to resist the temptations of contemporary right-wing populism and right-wing extremism. He emphasized that in a time characterized by great uncertainties, it is necessary to resist any glorification of an allegedly better past. Wiesemann described this backward-looking attitude as self-destructive.

The former bishop urgently called on those responsible in the church to continue working for the processing of sexualized violence and abuse of power. He stated that the mistakes of the past must never be overlooked, covered up, or denied. Wiesemann said that encounters and conversations with victims of abuse had personally deeply shaken and changed him. He described these experiences as humiliating disempowerment and profound helplessness. He insisted that every form of abuse of power must be prevented in the church and in society.

The German Bishops' Conference chairman, Heiner Wilmer, praised Wiesemann as a great shepherd. Wilmer noted that Wiesemann was firmly rooted in church tradition and continued to think theology further. He observed that Wiesemann set the tone in sometimes heated debates so that a new, surprising chord could sound. Wilmer said that Wiesemann's decision to resign deserves respect. He added that Wiesemann's letter to the faithful and employees of the diocese testifies to a person who remains deeply a seeker of God and knows his own limits.

Wiesemann, who is 66 years old, resigned as bishop in mid-August for health reasons. He had previously openly reported on his depressive illness. He stated that he no longer had the strength to lead the traditional diocese. He also referred to the cases of abuse and sexualized violence in the Diocese of Speyer, which had deeply shaken him. Wiesemann had been the bishop of Speyer since 2008. It is currently unclear when the Pope will appoint a successor. Experience shows that this can take several months.

The Diocese of Speyer is one of the oldest German dioceses. It counts 423,000 Catholics and extends over an area of 5,893 square kilometers. It encompasses the Palatinate in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saarpfalz district in Saarland. In its current borders, the diocese has existed since 1817.