Over 40 priests refused to sign the document, arguing it undermined Catholic doctrine.
This report examines the 2022 context of departures and controversies surrounding Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain of the Diocese of Chur, Switzerland, a deeply polarized region within the Swiss Catholic Church. Following his appointment by Pope Francis in 2021—intended to bring stability to a conservative-leaning diocese—Bishop Bonnemain’s initiatives in 2022 generated significant backlash, contributing to a "record number" of faithful departing the Church. 1. The Core of the 2022 Conflict: A New Code of Conduct 2022---Another-departure-because-of-Bishop-Bonnemain
While the video prompted a formal reprimand from Bonnemain to the involved pastors in Jan 2023, the incident reflected the tension within his diocese. Over 40 priests refused to sign the document,
In addition to the code of conduct, 2022 saw several instances where Bonnemain was caught between progressive demands and conservative backlash. In November 2022, Bonnemain announced he would not
In November 2022, Bonnemain announced he would not replace the diocese's exorcist, stating that cases usually require psychological help rather than spiritual exorcism, a move hailed by some as progressive but criticized by traditionalists. 3. Contextualizing "Another Departure" (2022-2023)
