Norbert Brunner

Norbert Brunner ( born June 21, 1942 in Naters, Valais Canton, Switzerland ) is a Roman Catholic bishop of Sion and 2010-2013 President of the Swiss Bishops' Conference.

Life

Norbert Brunner studied philosophy at the seminary in Givisiez morals and theology at the University of Innsbruck. On July 6, 1968 he was ordained priest. Then he studied moral theology and canon law at the University of Fribourg ( Switzerland ). In 1970 he became a teacher and prefect at boarding college Maria Hilf in Schwyz. In 1972 he moved to the diocese of Sion, and was from 1972 to 1987 Episcopal chancellor and court notary and rector of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion. After working as a diocesan economist from 1988 to 1991 Norbert Brunner was appointed Vicar General of the Bishop of Sion.

On 1 April 1995, Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop of Sion. He received his episcopal consecration on 9 June 1995 his predecessor Henri Cardinal Schwery. Archbishop Peter Stephan Zurbriggen were co-consecrators, Apostolic Nuncio in Mozambique, and Bishop Henri Salina CRA, Abbot of Saint- Maurice. His motto is Ad serviendam Spem nostram ( " In the service of our hope ").

Norbert Brunner is a member of the Presidium of the Swiss Bishops Conference ( SBK) since 1998. In 2010 he was elected President of the Swiss Bishops' Conference; 2013 enters the St. Gallen Bishop Markus Büchel his successor.

On June 5, 2013 Brunner announced his resignation as bishop. Pope Francis has the Resignation of Brunner " benevolent being considered " and given steps for appointment of a successor in order. Until the assumption of office by his successor Brunner remains in office.

Work

After his appointment as Bishop Brunner said he think the abolition of celibacy and the use of Viri probati from " theological reasons and of the Church constitutionally possible ." In advance of the Gay Pride 2001 in Sion, he explained, " under the guise of a legitimate concern with legitimate arguments " will here a " devilish game» operated, and triggered by this statement from an unexpected media coverage.

Caused a stir Brunner, when he joined the 77 -year-old pastor Walter Stupf, who had 17 years in charge of the community Eischoll not allowed in April 2012 to spend his old age in the local vicarage.

Honors

• Canon of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion ( 1988)
• Appointed Papal honor prelates by Pope John Paul II (1992 )
• Honorary Canons of the Abbey of Saint- Maurice ( 2001)