Bishop Kurt cook (55) was before its appointment Liturgieprofessor at the theological faculty at that time in Luzern. For the Dogmatik it did not receive vatikanische training permission.

The professor was determined on 21 August 1995 by the cathedral chapter of the diocese Basel in secret choice to the successor of bishop Hansjörg bird (54), withdrawn because of a paternity.

The Roman confirmation of the choice arrived only on 6 December 1995 after a violent intervention Swiss of the cardinal Henri Schwery. In January 1996 Mons became. Cook of Pope Johannes Paul II. to the bishop dedicated.