Heiner Wilmer

On April 6, Pope Francis appointed Fr. Heiner Wilmer, superior general, as the new bishop of the Diocese of Hildesheim (Germany). The Diocese of Hildesheim, which includes the city of Hanover, is one of the oldest dioceses in the world. It was founded in 815 and is located in northern Germany; it is over 18,5000 square miles and includes approximately 610,000 Catholics and 200 priests. Fr Wilmer succeeds Bishop Norbert Trelle, who headed the diocese from 2006 until 2017.

Fr. Heiner was provincial superior of the German Province when he was elected superior general in 2015. He was born on April 9, 1961 in Schapen, Germany, was ordained in 1987, and professed his first vows with the congregation in 1982.

Prior to his service as provincial superior Fr. Heiner held a number of positions in education; he is also an author with several published works.

Click here to read more about Fr. Heiner on the US Province site.

Click here to read an English translation of a statement he prepared for the Diocese of Hildesheim.

Fr. Carlos Enrique Caamaño Martin, until now vicar general, assumes the office of superior general until the election of a new general government.