Bishop Timmerevers Cites Age as He Steps Down

Heinrich Timmerevers announced his resignation as bishop of Dresden-Meißen on the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. Pope Leo XIV accepted the request on Wednesday, when Timmerevers was 74.

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I feel that the many challenges and responsibilities of this role have taken an enormous amount of energy.

“I feel that the many challenges and responsibilities of this role have taken an enormous amount of energy,” Timmerevers said. “I have therefore decided to place the leadership of our Diocese of Dresden-Meißen, which has grown very dear to me during my 10 years in office, in younger hands.”

Timmerevers said he had asked Rome to release him from his duties several months earlier and had explained his reasons to the pope in a personal meeting. He stressed that no external event or acute health problem had prompted the decision. “I wrestled intensely in prayer over this decision,” he said, adding that age and the many demands of the office had left their mark.

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I have therefore decided to place the leadership of our Diocese of Dresden-Meißen, which has grown very dear to me during my 10 years in office, in younger hands.

The diocese had planned a service on Sept. 5 to celebrate the bishop’s silver jubilee. It will now become a farewell gathering, with the sermon delivered by Heiner Wilmer, chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference. Wilmer called Timmerevers’s departure “a great loss” and praised his ability, as a bishop from western Germany, to build a sensitive connection with people in Saxony.

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A great loss

Protestant regional bishop Tobias Bilz also thanked him for ecumenical cooperation marked by trust and mutual respect. Timmerevers intends to keep his residence in Dresden, although the supplied report ends before giving further details.

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Good ecumenical cooperation, marked by great trust and mutual respect