Rainer Maria Woelki
Stored: Rainer Maria Woelki
| His Eminence Rainer Maria Woelki | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Cologne | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Cologne |
| Other diocese 1: | Archdiocese of Berlin |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 14 June 1985 by Cardinal Joseph Höffner |
| Consecration: | 30 March 2000 by Cardinal Joachim Meisner |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 18 February 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Rainer Maria Woelki 18 August 1956 Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Germany |
| Education: | Pontifical Lateran University |
| Motto: | "Nos Sumus Testes" |
| Role: | Archbishop |
| Theology: | Conservative |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, born August 18, 1956, is a German prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop of Cologne since 2014 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Ordained a priest in 1985 for the Archdiocese of Cologne and consecrated a bishop in 2000, he served as auxiliary bishop of Cologne (2000–2003), Bishop of Berlin (2011–2014), and briefly administrator of Berlin (2014). His conservative theology, reflected in his motto "Nos Sumus Testes" ("We Are Witnesses"), emphasizes traditional doctrine, opposition to the German Synodal Way’s reforms, and fidelity to Church hierarchy, drawing both support and criticism.[1][2] Woelki participated in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis and, at age 68, is eligible for the 2025 conclave following Francis’ death on April 21, 2025, as one of three German electors among 135 cardinals, with the conclave set to begin May 7, 2025, in the Sistine Chapel.[3][4][5]
Woelki’s conservative stances, including his 2020 critique of the Synodal Way as resembling a “Protestant church parliament,” have earned him support among traditionalists, with some X posts backing him as a papal candidate.[6][5] However, his handling of abuse allegations in Cologne, including a 2015 document shredding and a 2023 police raid over perjury allegations, has drawn significant criticism, limiting his papal candidacy in a conclave dominated by Francis’ progressive appointees (108 of 135 electors).[7][8][9] His academic background from the Pontifical Lateran University informs his doctrinal rigor. As an active cardinal, Woelki’s role in the 2025 conclave centers on his vote, shaping the Church’s future, though controversies and progressive dominance reduce his papal prospects.[3][7]
Biography
Birth and early life
Rainer Maria Woelki was born on August 18, 1956, in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, to a Catholic family in a post-war urban center. Raised during Germany’s economic recovery, his vocation was inspired by the Church’s role in community life, leading him to enter the Cologne Seminary at age 18. His family’s faith and Germany’s Catholic heritage shaped his commitment to doctrine.
The Second Vatican Council’s (1962–1965) debates on tradition influenced Woelki’s conservative outlook. Fluent in German, Italian, and Latin, his intellectual aptitude foreshadowed his theological career.[10][1]
Education
Woelki studied philosophy and theology at the University of Bonn and the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, earning a doctorate in theology in 1989, focusing on ecclesiology and Church hierarchy. He also trained at the Theological Faculty of Freiburg.
His education emphasized traditional doctrine and Vatican II’s balance of continuity, equipping him to defend Church structure. Woelki’s academic rigor prepared him for leadership roles.[1][11]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on June 14, 1985, by Cardinal Joseph Höffner for the Archdiocese of Cologne, Woelki served as a parish priest and chaplain to the Kolping Society (1985–1997). He was a professor of theology at the University of Cologne (1990–2000), focusing on ecclesiology.
His priesthood emphasized catechesis and Church tradition, navigating Germany’s secularization. Woelki’s doctrinal expertise earned him episcopal appointment.[10][1]
Bishop
Consecrated auxiliary bishop of Cologne on March 30, 2000, by Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Woelki served as Bishop of Berlin (2011–2014) and Archbishop of Cologne (2014–present). Elevated to cardinal in 2012 with the title Cardinal-Priest of San Giovanni Maria Vianney, he participated in the 2013 conclave.
Woelki’s conservative critique of the Synodal Way and handling of abuse allegations, including a 2015 document shredding and 2023 perjury allegations, have drawn controversy, though he never resigned.[7][8][2] Eligible for the 2025 conclave at age 68, he is one of three German electors, but his papal prospects are limited by scandals and progressive electors.[3][5][12]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Cologne | Auxiliary Bishop | 30 March 2000 | 2 July 2011 | Focused on catechesis |
| Archdiocese of Berlin | Archbishop | 2 July 2011 | 11 July 2014 | Strengthened orthodoxy |
| Archdiocese of Cologne | Archbishop | 11 July 2014 | Present | Criticized Synodal Way |
Significant events
- Entered Cologne Seminary in 1974.
- Ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Cologne in 1985.
- Consecrated auxiliary bishop of Cologne in 2000.
- Appointed Archbishop of Berlin in 2011.
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
- Participated in the 2013 conclave.
- Appointed Archbishop of Cologne in 2014.
- Criticized German Synodal Way in 2020.
- Implicated in abuse document shredding in 2015, revealed in 2022.
- Faced police raid over perjury allegations in 2023.
- Confirmed eligible for the 2025 conclave.
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books specifically about Cardinal Woelki.
Written by the bishop
- No known books authored by Cardinal Woelki.
External links
- Rainer Maria Cardinal Woelki at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Biography of Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki at Vatican Press Office
- Vatican News article on Woelki’s appointment
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Biography of Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki". Vatican Press Office. 2025-04-24. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_woelki.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Cardinal Woelki on Synodal Path". EdwardPentin. 2020-02-01. https://t.co/mbJZKsbIQQ.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "18 African among Cardinals to elect new Pope". Nigerian Observer. 2025-04-24. https://nigerianobservernews.com/2025/04/18-african-among-cardinals-to-elect-new-pope/.
- ↑ "Conclave to elect new pope to start on 7 May, Vatican says". The Guardian. 2025-04-28. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/28/conclave-elect-new-pope-7-may-vatican.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Three German cardinals in conclave". KarinFranziska. 2025-04-23. https://t.co/NrLA0MoBA1.
- ↑ "Cardinal Woelki on Synodal Committee". JLLiedl. 2023-06-20. https://t.co/31Xcb6M4XY.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Cardinal Woelki police raid". davenewworld_2. 2023-06-29. https://t.co/t1KbHYagPF.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Cardinal Woelki on abuse list". faznet. 2022-08-24. https://t.co/NrLA0MoBA1.
- ↑ "Lobbying for next pope heats up, with outcome less predictable than ever". The Guardian. 2025-04-27. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/27/lobbying-next-pope-heats-up-outcome-less-predictable.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Rainer Maria Cardinal Woelki". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-04-24. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bwoelki.html.
- ↑ "Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55631/cardinal-rainer-woelki.
- ↑ "Cardinal Woelki appointed Archbishop of Cologne". Vatican News. 2014-07-11. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2014-07/woelki-cologne.html.