Reinhard Lettmann

Reinhard Lettmann ( born March 9, 1933, dates, Westphalia, † April 16, 2013 in Bethlehem, West Bank ) was a German priest and 1980-2008 Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Münster. He was the 75th bishop of this diocese, and upon his departure in 2008, the most senior diocesan bishop in Germany.

Life

Lettmann was the son of a carpenter who worked on the bill Emscher-Lippe in dates. Reinhard Lettmann received after his philosophy and theology studies at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität in Münster and at the theological universities in Freiburg and Innsbruck on February 21, 1959 in Münster by Bishop Michael Keller ordination. Subsequently, he worked as a chaplain at St. Stephen in Beckum.

From 1960 to 1963 he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and was there in Canon Law as Dr. jur. can. doctorate. In 1963 he became secretary and Episcopal chaplain in Münster. He was involved in the recording of the proceedings of the Second Vatican Council as a stenographer.

In 1965 he was Prosynodalrichter and 1966 Defensor Vinculi the diocesan court in Münster as well as private secretary to Joseph Hoffner. 1967 he was appointed Bishop Joseph Hoffner Vicar General of the Diocese of Münster and in 1967 resident canon at St. Paul's Cathedral in Münster.

Auxiliary Bishop

On January 18, 1973 Pope Paul VI appointed him. Titular Bishop of Rotaria and Auxiliary Bishop of Münster. He received his episcopal consecration on 24 February 1973, the Bishop of Münster Heinrich Tenhumberg. Co-consecrators were the auxiliary bishops of Münster and Laurenz Heinrich Baaken Böggering. His episcopal motto was Christo tuo venienti occurrentes - "( We are ) your coming Christ Contrary Notifying ".

As an auxiliary bishop, he took over the job of the regional bishop for the region of Münster and Warendorf.

Diocesan Bishop

On January 11, 1980, Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop of Münster. The official inauguration took place on 16 March of the same year. Reinhard Lettmann was a member of the Ecumenical Commission of the German Bishops' Conference. In Rome he was a member of the Pontifical Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

In his resignation, which was effective as of March 28, 2008, was Reinhard Lettmann the senior diocesan bishop in Germany. He had Pope Benedict XVI. in February 2008, can his resignation from office in accordance with. 401 § 1 CIC offered on the occasion of reaching the 75th birthday. Lettmann was officially adopted on 8 and 9 March 2008 with different celebrations from his office. On 19 December 2008 Pope Benedict XVI appointed. the former Bishop of Essen, Felix Genn to Lettmanns successor as bishop of Münster.

Emeritus

On March 1, 2009 Reinhard Lettmann celebrated his golden anniversary as a priest at St. Paul's Cathedral in Münster. Its 40th anniversary as a bishop he celebrated on February 24, 2013 in the renovated St. Paul's Cathedral.

He died on April 16, 2013 during a pilgrimage in front of the Nativity in Bethlehem. In the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem worship ( Requiem) for him took place on 19 April 2013. The funeral and the Requiem for Bishop Lettmann took place in Münster Cathedral on April 26; He was buried in the crypt bishop in the west choir.

Honors and Awards

Writings (selection )

• The discussion about the clandestine marriages and the introduction of mandatory validity form of marriage at the Council of Trent, Münsterische contributions to theology, Issue 31, Thesis, Münster 1967
• Life close up praying. Thinking about our talk with God, Kevelaer 1979, ISBN 3-7666-9078-7.
• Carried by the faith of the community. Thoughts and suggestions for pastoral ministry, Kevelaer 1980, ISBN 3-7666-9111-2.
• Windows in the walls of everyday life. Suggestions to our daily prayer, Kevelaer 1981, ISBN 3-7666-9169-4 (together with Alfons Nossol )
• Mary - Mother of believers. Meditations, Kevelaer 1982, ISBN 3-7666-9251-8.
• By Christian insight and decision. Christ meditations, Kevelaer 1984, ISBN 3-7666-9338-7.
• Departure from the encounter. Thoughts on Christian life attitude, Kevelaer 1988, ISBN 3-7666-9555- X.
• What he says to you, do. With Mary in the service of salvation, Kevelaer 1988, ISBN 3-7666-9607-6.
• We need a long breath. Contributions to the current situation of the Church and society, Kevelaer 1989, ISBN 3-7666-9662-9.
• Peace - the challenge of our day. Sermons and thought-provoking, Kevelaer 1991, ISBN 3-7666-9745-5.
• To you I will sing and play. As a Christian, on the way, Kevelaer 1992, ISBN 3-7666-9767-6.
• The fifth angel. About the joy of God and his creation, Kevelaer 1993, ISBN 3-7666-9788-9.
• And faith carries the light. Sending and mission of Christians, Kevelaer 1995, ISBN 3-7666-9926-1.
• On the edge of mystery. Man and his experience of God, Kevelaer 1996, ISBN 3-7666-9998-9.
• To the kingdom of heaven 's sake. Thoughts on priestly celibacy, Leutendorf 1996, ISBN 3-7794-1383-3.
• The small spring. Carried by the Spirit of God. Thoughts and meditations, Kevelaer 1999, ISBN 3-7666-0187-3.
• Time of grace. Thought at the turn of the millennium, Kevelaer 2000, ISBN 3-7666-0272-1.
• Nard and empty hands. Texts to their senses - the invitation to praise God, Kevelaer 2001, ISBN 3-7666-0356-6.
• The invisible hand. Pulses for prayer, meditation and preaching, Kevelaer 2002, ISBN 3-7666-0407-4.
• The light-filled mystery. After - something thought, Kevelaer 2004, ISBN 3-7666-0531-3.
• Drummers of the resurrection. Encouragement to faith, Kevelaer 2005, ISBN 3-7666-0644-1.
• On holy fire. Suggestions for spiritual roots of pastoral work, Kevelaer 2005, ISBN 3-7666-0697-2.
• Riding in the dawn. Courage for the future, Kevelaer 2007, ISBN 978-3-7666-0809-3 or ISBN 3-7666-0809-6.
• Breathing in the eternal. Thought for the day, Kevelaer 2008, ISBN 978-3-7666-0863-5.
• Encounter Jesus in the Holy Land, Münster, 2008, ISBN 978-3-937961-80-4 ISBN 3-937961-80-1 or.