Bishop Georg Bätzing was asked about his greatest achievement a few days ago at an event organized by the Chamber of Crafts.
He thought for a moment and then said: he had pacified the Limburg diocese after the loss of confidence under his predecessor Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst and had given the people new self-confidence.
Now the diocese is making a name for itself for the second time in a short time because of the allegation of abusive behavior by a dignitary.
Unlike in the first case, it is not years ago.
Even before the clarification, the process ends tragically with the death of the accused.
The event, which was so shocking for all sides, is not suitable as a sign of particularly serious conditions in the diocese.
Cases of misconduct and sexual abuse have existed in the past, as the recent Church verdict against a former priest has shown, and will continue to exist today.
Just like in other dioceses.
It is important how you deal with it, and this has changed significantly in Limburg.
Although that does not protect against individual misjudgments, as Bätzing recently found out for himself.
But the Limburg bishop is obviously trying to take the victims seriously and to strictly observe the rules for investigation.
The diocese says he has now followed them.
No one could have foreseen the tragic outcome.
The Bishop of Limburg is aware of how serious the abuse and the sometimes sluggish processing of it are affecting trust in the Church.
He's a reformer.
He told the audience at the aforementioned event that the discussion that had been going on for years had made him lose faith in a continuum between church and theology.
There are ruptures, and a reflection on the abuse from outside is necessary.
These are remarkable words from a Catholic bishop.
They show the explosive power of the topic.