Cardinal Kasper retires, succeeded by Swiss bishop

July 01, 2010

The Holy See Press Office announced on July 1 that Cardinal Walter Kasper, 77, has retired as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Pope Benedict has appointed Bishop Kurt Koch of Basel, president of the Swiss episcopal conference, as Cardinal Kasper’s successor. The Pontiff has also elevated Bishop Koch to the dignity of archbishop.

The appointment had been widely anticipated. At a June 25 press conference, Cardinal Kasper had announced that he had “come to the end of my service" at the Vatican. The selection of Bishop Koch as his successor was discussed openly by Vatican officials during the week before the formal announcement.

The World Council of Churches welcomed Bishop Koch’s appointment. “Bishop Koch is well known for his openness and deep ecumenical commitment,” said WCC General Secretary Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit. “We see in Bishop Koch a reliable partner for all those involved in the ecumenical movement and trust he will continue Cardinal Walter Kasper's emphasis on spiritual ecumenism.”

Born in Switzerland in 1950, Bishop Koch was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Basel in 1982 and appointed bishop of Basel in 1995. Born in Germany in 1933, Cardinal Kasper served as bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart from 1989 until his 1999 appointment as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. He was created a cardinal in 2001.

 

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Further information:

• Rinunce e Nomine (Holy See)
• WCC welcomes Vatican's new chief ecumenist (World Council of Churches)
• Cardinal Kasper confirms his imminent departure from Roman Curia (CWN, 6/25)