German appointments burst 'slow-walk' concerns

The appointments ended year-long vacancies in Bamberg and Padernborn.

Pope Francis named two new archbishops Saturday for the Catholic Church in Germany, with the appointments challenging the idea that the Vatican was taking undue time to fill episcopal slots for Germany. 

Archbishop-elect Herwig Gössl of Bamberg, Germany, pictured Dec. 9, 2023. © Pressestelle Erzbistum Bamberg / Dominik Schreiner.

The Vatican announced Dec…