Georg Bätzing

Bätzing was born in Kirchen and grew up in Niederfischbach.[1] He was an altar boy, sang in the church choir and served as an organist there.[2] After his Abitur, he entered the major seminary of the Diocese of Trier in order to become priest. He studied theology and philosophy at Trier University and Freiburg University,[3] graduating in 1985.[4]

As deacon he was assigned to Sankt Wendel. He was ordained priest in Trier on 18 July 1987 by Bishop Hermann Josef Spital.[5] He worked as assistant priest (Kaplan) at the pilgrimage church Maria Heimsuchung in Klausen and in the parish St. Josef in Koblenz until 1990. He then was vice-rector (Subregens) in the Trier major seminary until 1996.[6] The same year he received the doctorate and became rector (Regens) of the seminary.[3][7] One of his functions was the organization of the Heilig-Rock-Wallfahrt in Trier in 2012, a pilgrimage to the most important relic of the Trier Cathedral, the seamless robe of Jesus, which was displayed again in the cathedral from 13 April 2012, for the first time since 1996.[8] A brochure invitation to prayer was published for the preparation of the pilgrimage by Bätzing and Elisabeth Beiling, Kommt, wir beten ihn an! Impulsheft zur Feier des Ewigen Gebetes und für die eucharistische Anbetung im Zugehen auf die Heilig-Rock-Wallfahrt 2012.[9]

On 1 November 2012 Bätzing was appointed vicar general of the Diocese of Trier, assisting Bishop Stephan Ackermann. In 2016, he was elected by the Limburg Cathedral chapter (Domkapitel) to succeed Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst as bishop of Limburg. He was appointed by the Pope on 1 July 2016.[6][7] He was consecrated by the Archbishop of Cologne Rainer Woelki on 18 September 2016.

Since 3 March 2020, Bätzing is chairman of the German Bishops' Conference.[10]

In 2019, Bätzing said that he would support a voluntary celibacy of priests.[11] Bätzing supports the Ordination of women in the Catholic church.[12]

He has supported marriage between homosexual people who are faithful in their relationship.[13]

Doctoral dissertation:

• Kirche im Werden. Ekklesiologische Aspekte des Läuterungsgedankens, Trierer theologische Studien 56, Trier: Paulinus, 1996, ISBN 978-3-7902-1284-6

Spiritual writings and published homilies

• Die Eucharistie als Opfer der Kirche (1986)
• Suchbewegungen (2000)
• Helfer im Einsatz Gottes (2001)
• Der Kreuzweg Jesu Christi (2003)
• Bleib doch bei uns, Herr (2005)
• Das Leben ausloten (2006)
• Gott der kleinen Leute (2007)
• Es gibt keine größere Liebe (2007)
• Nachgefragt. Hilfen zum Verständnis des christlichen Glaubens (2008)
• Beten üben. Anleitung zu einer christlichen Gebetspraxis (2009)
• Das Trierer Christusgebet. Entstehung, Auslegung und Praxis eines Elementes bistumseigener Gebetstradition (2010)
• Jesus Christus, Heiland und Erlöser. Impulse auf dem Weg der Erlösung (2011)

• Georg Bätzing: "heraus gerufen" – anders als erwartet / Georg Bätzing zu seiner Ernennung zum Bischof von Limburg (in German) Diocese of Trier
• Georg Bätzing Focus