{"id":8326,"date":"2026-06-22T15:21:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T13:21:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/generalat-hsosf.de\/?p=8326"},"modified":"2026-06-22T15:28:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T13:28:27","slug":"inauguration-of-bishop-dr-heiner-wilmer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/generalat-hsosf.de\/en\/inauguration-of-bishop-dr-heiner-wilmer\/","title":{"rendered":"Inauguration of Bishop Dr. Heiner Wilmer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Inauguration of Bishop Dr. Heiner Wilmer<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

M\u00fcnster, June 22, 2026.<\/em> Dr. Heiner Wilmer is the new Bishop of M\u00fcnster. The service marking his inauguration was celebrated on June 21 in the packed St. Paul\u2019s Cathedral in M\u00fcnster. This was followed by a celebration on Cathedral Square. Wilmer is the 77th Bishop of M\u00fcnster and the 76th successor to the diocese\u2019s founder, St. Liudger, who became the first Bishop of M\u00fcnster in 805. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The installation ceremony began with the presentation of the papal letter of appointment to Cathedral Provost Hans-Bernd K\u00f6ppen and its verification by the Cathedral Chapter. The document was then solemnly presented to all those present and read aloud in German translation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Afterward, the Cathedral Provost addressed Bishop Heiner, saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We are pleased to confirm that you are the rightful Bishop of M\u00fcnster.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Afterward, the bishop\u2019s crozier from the statue of St. Liborius was presented to Bishop Emeritus Dr. Felix Genn, who passed it on to the 76th successor of St. Liudger with the words: \u201cReceive the crozier of St. Liudger. Care for the Church of M\u00fcnster; care for the entire flock of Christ. May the Holy Spirit, who has appointed you as bishop, help you to guide the People of God.\u201d In accordance with a custom dating back to the 17th century, this staff was removed from the statue at the beginning of the sede vacante. It will be returned to the statue during the Pontifical Mass on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, on June 29, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Equipped with the crosier, Bishop Heiner was led to the cathedra by the Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Cologne, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, and took his seat there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wilmer 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Representatives of the clergy, religious orders, and various groups within the pastoral region expressed their willingness to collaborate with the new bishop. On behalf of all congregations in the Diocese of M\u00fcnster, Sister M. Margarete Ulager, General Superior of the International Congregation of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, issued the following statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We religious take great joy in living and working in the Diocese of M\u00fcnster. Today we ask for your trust. We look forward to a fruitful, fraternal collaboration with you in serving the people of our diocese.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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In his homily, Bishop Dr. Wilmer\u2014who has also served as chairman of the German Bishops\u2019 Conference since February\u2014reflected on the pilgrimage routes he had walked with various groups in the Diocese of M\u00fcnster during the week leading up to his installation, linking this experience to the Gospel reading of the day, which recounts how Jesus sent out his disciples. In it, he tells them: \u201cWhoever acknowledges me, the Father in heaven will also acknowledge.\u201d Bishop Wilmer emphasized: \u201cTo acknowledge means to be in harmony with God\u2014and to make that visible.\u201d Especially in today\u2019s turbulent times, he said, the question arises as to whom one belongs to and whom one acknowledges. \u201cTo profess means to orient oneself. To anchor oneself. Not to hide,\u201d he said. \u201cLiving examples\u201d have included \u201cprophetic voices\u201d from people who came from the Diocese of M\u00fcnster, such as Annette von Droste-H\u00fclshoff (1797\u20131848), Maria Droste zu Vischering (1863\u20131899), and Sister Maria Euthymia (1914\u20131955), who was beatified in 2001. \u201cSister Maria Euthymia embodies the resounding silence of the prophetic voice and courageous action,\u201d Bishop Wilmer emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Greetings were delivered by the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik W\u00fcst; the Mayor of M\u00fcnster, Tilman Fuchs; the Vice Chair of the German Bishops\u2019 Conference, Bishop Dr. Michael Gerber of Fulda; and Brigitte Lehmann and Ulrich Vollmer on behalf of the Diocesan Committee of Catholics in the Diocese of M\u00fcnster. The service was accompanied by music from the Cathedral Music Choirs under the direction of Cathedral Music Director Alexander Lauer and Cathedral Cantor Verena Sch\u00fcrmann. Cathedral Organist Thomas Schmitz played the organ, accompanied by the STRINGent & Freunde orchestra. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With moving words and in many different languages, Bishop Dr. Heiner Wilmer thanked God and all those who had accompanied him on his journey thus far and who had welcomed him so joyfully in M\u00fcnster. \u201cI look forward to being with you!\u201d he exclaimed in conclusion, ending his words of thanks with a Westphalian \u201cChut chaon!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After the new bishop\u2019s ceremonial procession, a large celebration took place on Cathedral Square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos: M\u00fcnster Diocese<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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