The Freisinger Tagblatt was a guest of Wieskurat and "still" Auxiliary Bishop Bernhard Haßlberger.
He now lives in a real retirement haven.
Freising
– According to auxiliary bishop Bernhard Haßlberger, it was “a happy coincidence”.
Just as he had applied for his retirement in 2021, Walter Brugger had previously decided to move away from the Wieskirche.
So Haßlberger has been the new Wieskurat since January (we reported).
The Freisinger Tagblatt visited the 75-year-old man of God at his new place of work and in his new apartment.
"Beautiful, bright, sunny - an oasis." This is how Haßlberger describes the apartment and the ambience in the north of Freising.
Two rooms on the first floor, that's his realm now, when there are more people there, you move to the dining room on the ground floor.
So his new apartment is much smaller than his previous domicile at Domberg 13, but "you don't need more in old age," says the auxiliary bishop.
Of course, he took some of his furniture with him, but above all his beloved books - even though he started sorting out some things with a heavy heart in the summer of last year.
"I'm a bookworm," says Haßlberger himself. Theology, of course, but modern physics and natural sciences in general also fascinate him.
Haßlberger's successor should be announced in the fall
The time he spends reading is still limited.
Because a successor has still not been appointed for him as auxiliary bishop, he and cathedral rector Marc-Aeilko Aris have to handle the tasks together, auxiliary bishop Haßlberger is always at confirmations these days.
After all: Hasslberger does not have to worry about the administration of the Wieskirche, that is done by the cathedral church foundation.
In September, it is planned, the new order of worship for the cathedral and Wieskirche will be introduced with a festival.
Hasslberger's successor should also be known in the fall - at least Bernhard Hasslberger hopes.
(By the way: everything from the region is now also available in our regular Freising newsletter.)
In his long career, Haßlberger has often moved: as a student, in the pastoral year, twice for the chaplaincy, as subregent of the seminary, then as head of the Cardinal Döpfner House, finally in 1994 as auxiliary bishop in the house Domberg 13. Hasslberger doesn't think so - maybe also because the Domberg was a construction site in the past few months and you immediately had dirty shoes when you left the house.
Hasslberger is also enthusiastic about what is happening up there on the Mons doctus.
The e-bike is already ready for use
When he is really retired and "only" supports the new auxiliary bishop for the north region, then Haßlberger wants to cycle more.
He brought his e-bike, which he bought for his 70th birthday, from his birthplace of Ruhpolding to Freising.
It is also planned to master the Maximilian cycle path from Lake Constance to Berchtesgaden.
And that he can then spontaneously visit his home country for a few days to ski in winter, Haßlberger is already looking forward to – just like one of the highlights of the church year in Freising: Pentecost in the Wies will take place again in 2023.
Hasslberger knows that there are no major renovations or repairs to be done on the Wieskirche itself, and he is also happy about it.
"There's nothing wrong with that.
Everything is immaculate,” he says in the best Bavarian language.
The public does not necessarily need Bernhard Hasslberger
And something else will be different when he retires, Haßlberger knows: he will no longer be in the public eye as often as the auxiliary bishop responsible for the north pastoral care region.
Some "fuck it," but he has prepared well for it, he believes.
"I keep telling myself to step down to second place." And there really are fewer beautiful and less idyllic places to enjoy retirement than next to the Wieskirche "Zum Gegeiselten Heiland".
You can find more current news from the district of Freising at Merkur.de/Freising.