Heinrich Timmerevers

Timmerevers was born in Nikolausdorf in Kreis Cloppenburg in Lower Saxony, West Germany, on 25 August 1952, the second of six children in a family of farmers in an all-Catholic community.

In accordance with local practice, he led the Oldenburg region based in Vechta as an "enclave diocese" more in the manner of an ordinary than an auxiliary.

[4] Following his appointment, in interviews he underscored his commitment to developing a welcoming culture toward immigrants and friendly relations with Protestants.

[5] He advocated for attempting to maintain dialogue with the nationalist anti-Islamic party, Pegida, which was founded in Dresden, his new home city, but said there were limits to what could be debated: "If someone disdains other people by skin color or religion, then I say, that's not okay.

He said: "What I perceive hurts me very much, in three respects: that many women suffer, that this question has a potential to divide our church and that we bishops are held liable for it."

[1] Within the German Bishops Conference he was a member of the Youth Commission for eight years and has served on other committees for more than a decade, including those for Consecrated Life and Spiritual Professions.