The Bishop of Limburg and former president of the German Episcopal Conference, Georg Bätzing, has confirmed that his diocese now has a female administrative position equivalent to that of the general vicar. In an interview given last Sunday, Bätzing explained that he has tried to offer women “all possibilities of participation in the design, advising, and management” within the Church.
“Now there is a woman in a function that corresponds to that of the general vicar,” the bishop stated.
A new figure of “episcopal delegate”
In the Diocese of Limburg, Hildegard Wustmans currently holds the new position of “episcopal delegate” or “episcopal commissioner,” exercising her functions alongside the general vicar Wolfgang Pax within a management team described as “collegial” for the diocesan administration.
Traditionally, the general vicar is a priest appointed by the bishop to exercise administrative authority over the diocese and act as his principal collaborator in ecclesiastical governance.
The Code of Canon Law expressly states that the general vicar must be a priest and at least thirty years old, which excludes a woman from formally holding that position.
Although the new figure created in Limburg does not technically modify the canonical position of general vicar, it does introduce a parallel structure with similar functions within the diocesan administration.
Bätzing insists on expanding the role of women
During the interview, Bätzing defended the need to continue expanding women’s responsibilities in the Church while their sacramental ordination is not possible.
“This changes us and enriches us,” the German bishop stated, referring to the new structure implemented in the diocese. “While sacramental consecration is not possible for women, we should consistently develop these possibilities,” he added.