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The new Archbishop of Paderborn, Udo Markus Bentz, speaks at a press conference.
© Guido Kirchner/dpa/archive image
State and church are strictly separated in Germany.
In some places, however, there are links such as state contracts and flat-rate state benefits from which salaries are paid.
Düsseldorf/Paderborn – The new Archbishop of Paderborn, Udo Markus Bentz, took his oath of loyalty to the constitution in the North Rhine-Westphalia State Chancellery on Wednesday.
In addition to Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU), there were also representatives of the state governments of Hesse and Lower Saxony.
The area of the archdiocese with around 1.4 million Catholics extends over large parts of Westphalia into the Ruhr area, with the city of Bad Pyrmont in Lower Saxony and parts of the Waldeck-Frankenberg district in Hesse.
According to the state treaty between the Vatican and the German Reich (Reich Concordat), which is still valid for the Federal Republic, it is also agreed that new bishops must take an oath of loyalty to the state.
According to the German Bishops' Conference, the lump-sum state benefits are also used, among other things, to pay salaries for the diocese leadership.
“With the oath of loyalty, church and state assure each other of good and trusting cooperation for the benefit of the people.
The oath of loyalty confirms the cooperative relationship that connects church and state according to the constitution and that we also live here in North Rhine-Westphalia,” said Wüst.
Society needs a strong voice from the churches.
Especially in times when social cohesion is being put to the test, Christian values offer orientation and confidence, said the NRW Prime Minister according to the statement.
“We want to be present in society, get involved, and make our contribution to the success of the state and society.
In a society in which cohesion is challenged, we want to mediate and contribute to peaceful coexistence,” said the new archbishop in his swearing-in speech.
Pope Francis appointed Bentz as the successor to the retired Hans-Josef Becker in December 2023.
The 56-year-old was previously an auxiliary bishop in Mainz.
Bentz will be officially inaugurated into office on March 10th in Paderborn Cathedral.
dpa