He comes from Erlach in the Dietramszell community and is ordained a priest: Georg Böckl-Bichler.
The 35-year-old is excited, but also full of anticipation.
Dietramszell - In a few days, Georg Böckl-Bichler from Erlach will be ordained a priest.
Our colleague Clara Wildenrath spoke to the 35-year-old about his path to becoming a clergyman and his view of the Catholic Church.
Mr. Böckl-Bichler, how do you feel so shortly before your ordination?
Böckl-Bichler:
I'm fine!
I'm a little excited, but also full of anticipation.
I have beautiful things ahead of me.
I am now looking forward to the consecration retreat in St. Ottilien.
From there it goes straight to the rehearsal in the cathedral.
On Friday evening we have another meeting with the cardinal, and the next day we will be consecrated.
Cardinal Marx, in front of whom you make the promise of consecration, has just made a resignation which the Pope has rejected. Does that affect your mood?
Böckl-Bichler:
No.
After his offer and the statement, there was a few days of excitement, in the media and among friends, but calm quickly returned.
I think it's good that he's staying there.
Figuratively speaking: the shepherd should stay with his flock.
But of course I am now very curious to see what impulses he sets in the consecration and what he gives us in the sermon.
Many hoped that the resignation would enable a fresh start and advance the processing of cases of abuse.
Böckl-Bichler:
I have a hard time assessing whether a new beginning is due.
What influence the personnel decision will have on the ongoing future process in our diocese can only be foreseen in autumn.
But I believe that continuity is important.
The cardinal initiated many processes that have yet to be completed.
Had the resignation been accepted, there would likely have been a long vacancy in our diocese before a new bishop was appointed.
The abuse scandals have shaken trust in the Catholic Church for many people. What does this mean for your path to becoming a priest?
Böckl-Bichler:
Of course that concerns me. When I got to the seminary, the process of coming to terms with it had already begun. I am glad that I was allowed to study at a time when the subject of abuse was already being viewed very sensitively. I graduated from high school myself in a Catholic boarding school. Last year, a case of black pedagogy came to light in the 1970s, which - according to my insight - was dealt with very transparently. During my time there, in the 1990s and 2000s, I did not notice any such cases. On the contrary: I am very grateful for the nine years there and the teachers on site. You gave me a lot. Of course, we also discuss the topic with young people in school lessons or in company groups. Apart from that, the tasks in the parish continue to run normally.People ask about baptisms, weddings, confirmations. The situation only has an indirect influence on this.
Nevertheless, the number of people leaving the church increases from year to year. Do you feel armed against the headwind?
Böckl-Bichler:
This headwind has been with me for a long time. I hardly know otherwise that as a Christian you don't have a popular class. Even in my youth and as a student, I often came across church critics. Especially in London, where I worked in a parish for six months during the seminary. Dealing with positions critical of the church is important. It sharpens the mind, but the other side must also be heard. It didn't affect my path. Since 2015, when I made the decision to become a priest, my belief has been strengthened again and again. I am aware that there are wrongdoings in the Church. But there is also a 2000 year history of salvation. I want to join them.
How do you perceive people's attitude towards the Church in your personal environment?
Böckl-Bichler:
My background, my homeland is very church-friendly. The national church is still deeply rooted here. Many people like to celebrate the annual cycle with its many customs and traditions. Many encourage me in my decision to become a priest and give me a tailwind. On the other hand, I of course notice that the churches are not getting fuller and that people are alienating themselves from the parish. But I also see this crisis as an opportunity to get creative. The core will certainly get a little smaller, but stick together and live the gospel as best you can. And that will then radiate to others again. This is my hope. And this is also shown by a look at church history. Even a small mustard seed can bring a rich harvest over time.
You originally studied to be a German and history teacher. What made you decide to pursue a career as a priest afterwards?
Böckl-Bichler:
After two semesters, I chose Catholic religious studies as a minor.
From this my interest in theology developed.
What really brought me to church, however, are the people I have met on my way through life.
Those who gave a face to the message of Jesus.
A good friend of mine who quit the church once said: “You just always met the right people.” There is some truth in that.
No matter where I was, at home, in Traunstein, during my legal clerkship in Regensburg - I met so many exciting personalities and good-hearted people everywhere in the church.
They have become models and guides for me on my way to Christ.
What do you wish for the church of the future?
Böckl-Bichler:
I would like us to better promote and network all charisms and services in the church - according to the motto of our study seminar "With one another - for one another - out of a Christian spirit".
If even more living places of faith could emerge in this way, I would think that would be nice.
There are still so many treasures to be found in every parish.
The talents that we find as pastors on site must grow together to form a unit that is also attractive to others.
Do you already have an idea how you as a priest can encourage people to remain loyal to the Catholic Church?
Böckl-Bichler:
My Primiz saying is: “With you is the source of life.” Therefore, on the one hand, I would like to return to the source again and again, that is, to stay with Christ.
From there I can go out with others and visit people to show them the way to this powerful source.
That sounds a bit abstract. How exactly are you going to do that?
Böckl-Bichler:
A personal example, you can only pass on what you have experienced and received yourself: I had a hello-awake experience in 2013 when I learned during my first retreat that Christ is very close to me.
He knows about me and my life issues.
And in prayer he wrestles with me and my decisions.
Personal prayer has become an important source of life for me.
That is a point that I would like to pass on.
I have now also written a small booklet with impulses, which will then be on display at Primiz in Erlach.
It can also be downloaded beforehand as a PDF from the Parish Association's website.
Perhaps a piece of the puzzle on how people can find their way back to Christ.
What will happen to you after the consecration?
Böckl-Bichler:
I will start my first chaplaincy in Wasserburg in September.
But first I look forward to the encounters in my home country and to a solemn field service in Erlach.
It is great that the incidences have gradually decreased and that in all likelihood we can sing and pray together with many people and celebrate a joyful festival of faith.
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Georg Böckl-Bichler and four other candidates for ordination will receive the sacrament of ordination by Cardinal Reinhard Marx on Saturday, June 26th, from 9 a.m. in Munich's Liebfrauendom (limited spaces in the cathedral are reserved for relatives of the ordination candidates).
The Primiz will take place on Sunday, July 11th, from 10 a.m. at the Löschweiher in Erlach (Dietramszell).
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