Rainer Woelki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Rainer Maria Woelki |
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| Cardinal Archbishop of Cologne |
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Woelki in 2019
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Cologne |
| Province | Cologne |
| Appointed | 11 July 2014 |
| Enthroned | 20 September 2014 |
| Predecessor | Joachim Meisner |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of San Giovanni Maria Vianney (2012–) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 14 June 1985 |
| Consecration | 30 March 2003 by Joachim Meisner |
| Created Cardinal | 18 February 2012 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Rainer Maria Woelki |
| Born | 18 August 1956 Köln-Mülheim, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater | University of Bonn |
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| Coat of arms | .svg) |
| Styles of Rainer Woelki |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Rainer Maria Woelki is a German Catholic leader. He has been the Archbishop of Cologne since 2014. Before that, he was the Archbishop of Berlin. He became a Cardinal in 2012. A Cardinal is a very important leader in the Catholic Church, chosen by the Pope.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Rainer Maria Woelki was born on August 18, 1956, in Cologne, Germany. He was one of three children. His parents had to leave their home in East Prussia after World War II.
He studied philosophy and theology at universities in Bonn and Freiburg. These studies helped him learn about religious ideas and beliefs.
Becoming a Priest
On June 14, 1985, Rainer Woelki became a priest. He was ordained by Cardinal Joseph Höffner. This meant he could lead church services and help people in his community.
From 1985 to 1989, he worked as an assistant priest in Neuss. In 1989, he briefly served as a military chaplain. A military chaplain provides religious support to soldiers. In 1990, he became the private secretary to the Archbishop of Cologne.
Further Studies and Leadership Roles
From 1997 to 2011, Woelki was the Director of the "Collegium Albertinum." This was a special home for students training to become priests. In 1999, he was given the title of Monsignor by Pope John Paul II. This is an honorary title for a priest.
In 2000, he earned a special degree in theology. His studies focused on the role of local churches.
Becoming a Bishop
On February 24, 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed him as an Auxiliary Bishop of Cologne. An auxiliary bishop helps the main bishop of a large area. He was officially made a bishop on March 30, 2003. He chose "Nos sumus testes" (meaning "We are witnesses") as his motto. This motto comes from a Bible verse.
As an auxiliary bishop, he was in charge of the northern part of the archdiocese. This area included cities like Düsseldorf and Wuppertal. He also helped with church teachings and working with other Christian groups. He was also an advisor to the Holy See (the Pope's main office) on Catholic education.
Archbishop of Berlin
On July 2, 2011, Rainer Woelki became the Archbishop of Berlin. He was chosen for this important role by the church leaders in Berlin. This happened shortly after the previous Archbishop, Georg Cardinal Sterzinsky, passed away.
Views and Community Engagement
When he became Archbishop of Berlin, some people wondered about his views on certain topics. He said he had "respect and esteem for all people." He also stated that "The Church is not a moral institution that goes around pointing its finger at people." He wanted the Church to be a place where people could find happiness.
In October 2012, he was nominated for a "Respect Award." This was because he spoke about working with all people in society. He also met with groups representing gay and lesbian people. He declined the award, but the nomination showed his efforts to build bridges.
Reorganization and Papal Visit
One of his first big tasks in Berlin was to prepare for Pope Benedict XVI's visit in September 2011. This was the Pope's first official visit to Germany.
In December 2012, Woelki announced some changes for the churches in Berlin. He said that the church's money situation had improved. However, he also noted that fewer people were attending church. He planned to reorganize Catholic schools, hospitals, and other centers to adapt to these changes.
Becoming a Cardinal
On January 6, 2012, the Vatican announced that Woelki would become a Cardinal. He officially became a Cardinal on February 18, 2012. He was one of the youngest Cardinals at that time.
As a Cardinal, he could vote in future elections for a new Pope. He participated in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. He also participated in the 2025 papal conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV. He also became a member of the group that advises the Pope on Catholic education.
Archbishop of Cologne
On July 11, 2014, it was announced that Rainer Woelki would become the Archbishop of Cologne. This is a very important position in the Catholic Church in Germany. He officially took on this role on September 20, 2014.
The process to choose a new Archbishop of Cologne is quite detailed. Church leaders in Cologne create a list of candidates. This list is then sent to the Pope. The Pope can make changes to the list. Then, the church leaders in Cologne choose the new Archbishop from the final list. The regional government also needs to approve the choice.
Church Teachings and Modern World
In April 2018, Woelki was part of a group of bishops who asked the Vatican for guidance. This was about a proposal to allow Protestant spouses of Catholics to receive Holy Communion. The Vatican later said that this was a matter for the worldwide Church, not just Germany.
In February 2019, Woelki spoke about his views on church teachings. He said that "The Church stands for truths that transcend time." This means he believes some church teachings should not change to fit modern ideas. He also wrote that the Church should not be forced to change its beliefs if they go against the spirit of the Gospel. He emphasized the importance of faith and understanding in Christianity.
See also
In Spanish: Rainer Maria Woelki para niños
