Cardinal Karl Lehmann, bishop of Mainz and former president of the German Bishops Conference (Dbk), turns 80 today. In a Mass celebrated this morning in the cathedral of the imperial city, cardinal Reinhard Marx, currently president of Dbk, praised Lehmann as a bishop who put a lot of passion in his work as a pastor and as a theologian: “Even at an old age, he showed us how happily he worked as a pastor and as a theologian, and how fresh his work is”. “You have witnessed the epoch-making disruptions of our country and in the Church, and you have dug deeper into them”. The president of Dbk expresses “great respect and gratitude for your ministry, in which you have reached people’s hearts and have had lasting influence on the German Church”. And the news comes from the Vatican today that Pope Francis accepted card. Lehmann’s resignation from the office of bishops of Mainz, “in compliance with canon no. 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law”. At this morning’s Mass, Marx, speaking of Lehman’s episcopal motto, from the Letter to the Corinthians, “Stand firm in the faith”, also mentioned the harder times of ecclesial life, “but there’s never been any report or complaint, but basically a matter of hope from the union with Christ”. And, to conclude, Marx pointed out that he learnt a lot from Lehmann and admires his theological wit, “as well as his great sense of humour and his kindness”.

Persone ed Enti
Reinhard Marx
Luoghi
Germany