Bishop Dominicus appoints three new cathedral capitals for Osnabrück!

Bishop Dominicus appoints three new cathedral capitals for Osnabrück!

Bishop Dominicus Meier has appointed three new members for the cathedral chapter of the diocese of Osnabrück. These appointments are not only a sign of continuity within the organization, but also a reaction to the age -related resignation of three previous members. The new cathedral capitulars are Thomas Burke, Michael Wehrmeyer and Thilo Wilhelm.

Thomas Burke, who has been a pastor in Lingen since 2014, brings extensive experiences into his new role. As the dean of the Deanery Emsland-Süd, he has headed this office since 2007. Burke, 60 years old and from Haselünne, studied theology in Münster and Vienna and was consecrated to priest in Osnabrück in 1992. His professional career includes positions such as Vicar in Hagen A.T.W. and rector of the Catholic Land Volkhochschule in Oesede.

The new cathedral capitals in detail

Michael Wehrmeyer, 62 years old and from Osnabrück, has been a pastor of the St. Matthäus community in Melle since 2008. In his role as a dean of the Deanery Osnabrück-Süd, which he has held since 2012, he has also proven to be an important influence in the administration of church tasks. Wehrmeyer completed his theology studies in Frankfurt-St. Georgen and Würzburg and was ordained a priest in 1989. Before he came to Melle, he was a chaplain in Nordhorn and pastor in Bremen.

The third new cathedral capitular, Thilo Wilhelm, 50 years old and from Hagen a.T.W., has been the role of the episcopal personnel officer and deputy general vicar since 2020. With studying theology that led him through Frankfurt St. Georgen and Rome, he was ordained a priest in Rome in 2007. Previous positions by Wilhelm include the rectors' position in Oesede and the office of the cathedral priest in Osnabrück.

tasks and responsibility of the cathedral chapter

The cathedral chapter of the diocese of Osnabrück consists of a total of nine priests, which play the central role in the advice and support of the bishop in the direction of the diocese. They are not only responsible for the design of the services in the cathedral church, but also take on essential administrative tasks. Especially in times of the vacancy of the bishop's office, the cathedral chapter has the responsibility to guide the diocese and to choose the new bishop.

The inauguration of the new cathedral capitulars takes place on March 30, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Osnabrück Cathedral of St. Petrus. With this appointment, a new section is heralded in the history of the diocese of Osnabrück, which will continue to be shaped by the cross -border challenges of church life. Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Wübbe acts as a cathedral dean and will support the new members in the cathedral chapter.

Further information about the cathedral chapter and its activities can be viewed on the official website of the diocese of Osnabrück. The appointment of new cathedral capitals is an important step to ensure continuity and stability within the church structure in this region.