Bishop Hanke: Quiet farewell after 19 years in office!

Bishop Hanke: Quiet farewell after 19 years in office!

Gregor Maria Hanke, the resigned Bishop of Eichstätt, is about to say a modest farewell to his long term in office. After almost 20 years at the helm of the diocese, the 70-year-old is not planning on a grand scale, but considers a simple farewell to be appropriate, especially in view of the current situation within the church. This reports Cathedral radio.

His official farewell will take place next Sunday at 10 a.m. in Eichstätter Cathedral. Afterwards, the faithful have the opportunity to meet Hanke on Pater-Philipp-Jeningen-Platz. This festive ceremony is also part of this year's Willibalds Week, which is celebrated in honor of the diocese's patron saint.

A path full of devotion

Gregor Maria Hanke was born in Elbersroth, in the Ansbach district, in 1954 and has gone through numerous positions over the course of his career. He attended the Episcopal Study Seminar in Eichstätt and entered the seminary in 1974. After studying theology, which he completed with a diploma at the Catholic University of Eichstätt in 1980, he worked as a religion teacher. In 1981 he entered the Benedictine Abbey of Plankstetten, where he made his profession in 1982 and took the religious name Gregor Maria.

He was ordained a priest in 1983 by Bishop Alois Brems. After a few years in Plankstetten, he was elected abbot of the Benedictine abbey in 1993. He was also a member of the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic Life and took part in several general meetings of the World Synod of Bishops in Rome. Hanke has led the diocese of Eichstätt since 2006.

The resignation and its background

At his own request, Hanke was relieved of his position on June 8, 2025. In a personal statement, he explained that inner fatigue was a key reason for his move. Shortly before Christmas, Hanke suffered serious complications after a routine operation that cost him a lengthy break.

For the future, Hanke plans to work as a pastor outside the diocese as a simple priest. He will also no longer wear episcopal insignia, which for him underlines the idea of ​​humility and simple service.

Ecclesiastical backgrounds

Hanke's resignation falls into a larger context of offers of resignation within the Catholic Church, which have become increasingly common lately. The Pope has final authority in such matters, and the reasons for resignations are often complex. Examples from the recent past show that in various situations bishops are either pressured or resign out of their own convictions Catholic.de is to be read. It is believed that the Vatican generally has little influence on public opinion and weighs resignations carefully.

Over the years, Hanke has made a name for himself through his committed work and active participation in social debates. His successors will have to deal with the issues of faith, community life and social change at a time of great challenges.

On his 71st birthday, which is coming up on Wednesday, Hanke will look back in many ways on an eventful life that is now entering a new phase. It will be interesting to see what impulses he will provide in pastoral care in the future as a simple priest.