Conférence épiscopale allemande
On 20 June 2001 John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Fulda, and on 23 September he was installed in Fulda Cathedral. Since 2002 he is president von Pax Christi, and since 2006 he is vice-president of an ecumenical committee dealing with Judaism for the German Bishops' Conference. His resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on 5 June 2018. He is succeeded by Michael Gerber as bishop of Fulda.