Depressive German -Bishop Retires at 66

Today, Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann, 66, of Speyer, Germany, due to health reasons.
He had led the Diocese of Speyer since March 2008.
Bishop Wiesemann said that "the burden of the extensive responsibility has taken a serious physical and psychological toll on me."
Depression and Health
Bishop Wiesemann had previously suffered from depression. In 2021, he withdrew from his duties for about seven months for health reasons, including inpatient treatment.
He later publicly identified the illness as depression.
In May 2026, he spoke about his experience at the Katholikentag in Würzburg during an event on depression and mental health.
He attributed his depression to prolonged pressures including the demands of episcopal office, financial and structural problems in the diocese and, above all, the Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis.
Pro-Homosexual Bishop
Bishop Wiesemann was among the German bishops supporting changes in the Church's approach to homosexuality …More