Bishop Heiner Wilmer of Hildesheim is a progressive, cosmopolitan church leader who advocates reform within the Catholic Church, including welcoming the possibility of blessing same-sex couples and inviting broader leadership roles for women.

At 64, Wilmer is recognized for his support of Evangelization and secular-modern approaches, and he has written on spirituality, with Herzschlag focusing on Etty Hillesum; he emphasizes dialogue with Rome while pursuing reform.

Wilmer rose to prominence in Rome in 2015 as General Superior of the Dehonian Order, forging strong Vatican connections and drawing national attention for his views on democracy, the welfare state, and climate action.

Georg Bätzing, then 64, indicated he could not secure a two-thirds majority for reelection, paving the way for Wilmer’s succession as chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference.

On February 24, 2026, Wilmer was elected the new president of the German Bishops’ Conference, succeeding Bätzing and bringing his governance of Hildesheim since 2018 into the national leadership role.

Wilmer is noted for his Rome connections, linguistic fluency (Italian, Spanish, English, French), and potential to facilitate dialogue with the Vatican while advancing reform-oriented priorities.

As president, Wilmer acts as a spokesperson within the bishops’ conference, signaling continuity with the Synodal Path and an emphasis on unity among bishops amid reform debates.

He emphasizes climate action and ecumenism, backing practical cooperation, including a planned joint Catholic-Evangelical religious education program in Niedersachsen starting in 2026/27.

The German Catholic Church faces ongoing membership declines, with numbers dipping below 20 million, amid calls for reforms such as women’s ordination and greater recognition of homosexual partnerships.

Wilmer stresses evangelization while acknowledging the need to reaffirm core Catholic beliefs, including life after death and Jesus’ divinity, to address widespread doubts.

Under his leadership in Hildesheim, the diocese pursues cost-conscious governance and property reform, including plans to reduce church holdings by about half by 2030, while exploring youth pilgrimages to gauge Church expectations.

Born in 1961, Wilmer joined the Dehonian order at 19, studied in Freiburg, Paris, and Rome, taught in New York, led a diocesan gymnasium, and served as provincial head before his Rome appointment, building a reputation for cautious public stances and reform-minded leadership.