New Koper bishop installed
Koper, 1 February - Peter Štumpf has been installed as the new bishop of Koper two months after he was appointed to the post by Pope Francis, completing his transition from the Murska Sobota Diocese, where he served as bishop from 2009.
Koper
Jakob Štumpf (left) takes over from Jurij Bizjak (right) as bishop of Koper.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Koper
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Koper
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Koper
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Koper
Installation ceremony for Peter Štumpf (right) as new bishop of Koper.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Koper
Jakob Štumpf (left) greets believers at a ceremony installing him as the bishop of Koper.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Koper
Jakob Štumpf (left) takes over from Jurij Bizjak (right) as bishop of Koper.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Koper
Jakob Štumpf (left) takes over from Jurij Bizjak (right) as bishop of Koper.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Štumpf, 62, succeeds Jurij Bizjak, who had to submit his resignation on turning 75 two and a half years ago in accordance with canon law and who handed over his crosier to Štumpf at a mass Saturday at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Nevertheless, he will act as "apostolic administrator," or provisional leader, of the Murska Sobota Diocese, Apostolic Nuncio Jean Marie Speich revealed during the ceremony.
A transfer between dioceses is rare and came a surprise even for Štumpf himself, who has said that he had not expected it but accepted the job out of personal belief, respect for the pope, and his love of people.
"For me, this is an invitation to continue to affirm connection and unity with the pope and all bishops. I will accept everything the pope decides about Koper in the future," he told reporters yesterday.
He plans to continue working on interfaith dialogue, just like he did in Murska Sobota, and will focus on families, youths and "other groups who are looking for ways how to live with their faith in this era. I will look for ways to connect with them and help them," he said.
Štumpf told today's ceremony, which featured Catholic Church dignitaries, leaders of other faiths, foreign diplomats and local officials, that cooperation is the key.
"It is only when we act together that we can grow in our love to Jesus and one another. We need each other, we need each other very much," he said.
Štumpf has become the fourth bishop of Koper since it was re-established as an independent diocese in October 1977, having previously been part of the Diocese of Trieste-Koper.
A Murska Sobota native and member of the Salesian order, Štumpf graduated from Mariology in Turin, Italy in 1989 and was consecrated priest in 1990. He obtained a master's degree in 1994 and a doctorate in 2002.
As a chaplain and parish priest, he has previously served in the parishes of Rakovnik in Ljubljana, Sevnica, Ig, Zabukovje nad Sevnico, Maribor and Veržej, before being appointed auxiliary bishop of Maribor in 2006, and bishop of Murska Sobota in 2009.
As bishop he has carved out a prominent public role for himself with frequent criticism of liberal policies.