Würtz to lead Eichstätt diocese through scandal fallout and reform

Christian Würtz will be installed as Bishop of Eichstätt on Sunday, becoming Germany’s youngest diocesan bishop. The new role brings challenges including the fallout from a financial scandal and debate over reforms in the Catholic Church, BR reports.

Würtz, 55, was previously an auxiliary bishop in Freiburg. He succeeds Benedictine monk Gregor Maria Hanke, who left the post early in 2025 at his own request for age-related reasons. The bishop’s seat in Eichstätt remained vacant for a year.

Born in Karlsruhe in 1971, Würtz studied law and theology and earned doctorates in both subjects. He spent seven years as an auxiliary bishop in Freiburg, where he also led the seminary for priests. His responsibilities included serving as a church judge and overseeing universities.

The Eichstätt diocese is still dealing with the effects of a financial scandal. Christian Gärtner, a former head of the diocese’s council, said parishioners question calls for savings when millions of euros were lost through speculative investments in the United States.

Würtz has supported the Catholic Church’s Synodal Path from its beginning. He voted in favour of blessings for same-sex couples and greater participation for laypeople, and has called for women to have a larger role in the Church. He said the Church must keep reforming and examine the potential of women that remains unused.

The installation service will take place in Eichstätt Cathedral and will be led by Bamberg Archbishop Herwig Gössl. Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder, Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann and Hanke are expected to attend. BR will broadcast the service live on television from 1.30 pm on Sunday, followed by a gathering organised by the diocese.