Hamburg, June 24, 2026 – Pope Leo XIV has appointed Johannes Zehe, formerly the Rector of the Hamburg seminary, as the new Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Hamburg. The Vatican and the Archdiocese simultaneously announced the appointment this Wednesday. Zehe’s episcopal ordination is scheduled for October 10.
New Auxiliary Bishop for Hamburg
Johannes Zehe, born in 1963 in Neustrelitz, then part of the German Democratic Republic, is a member of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Hamburg. Before his theological studies, he completed an academic music education in Berlin. He was ordained a priest in Hamburg in 1999.
According to the curriculum vitae published by the Vatican, Zehe’s previous roles include: parochial vicar in the parishes of Ahrensburg, Bargeheide, and Neubrandenburg; head of youth pastoral care; parish priest in Neubrandenburg, also dean of the deanery there, and in Lübeck; and Rector of the Archdiocese Seminary in Hamburg (since 2023). Currently, Johannes Zehe serves as pastor and parish administrator in the Holy Elisabeth parish, which encompasses several communities in southeastern Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, including St. Marien Church in the Bergedorf district of Hamburg.
Archbishop Heße Expresses Joy
Archbishop Stefan Heße, originally from Cologne and serving in Hamburg since 2015, expressed his delight in an initial statement. He stated that he is “very pleased that Johannes Zehe is taking over the office of auxiliary bishop, someone who has gained experience in many different areas of responsibility.” He added that the future auxiliary bishop will be “a great asset to us with his spiritual, human, and pastoral gifts.” Heße asked the faithful of the Archdiocese to accompany the new auxiliary bishop in prayer.
The newly appointed auxiliary bishop himself also expressed his joy in the Archdiocese of Hamburg’s press release. “The news that I am to become an auxiliary bishop reached me unexpectedly. I see it as a great gift. I am now unpacking it and seeing how I can deal with it,” said Johannes Zehe.
Role of an Auxiliary Bishop
An auxiliary bishop is a Catholic bishop who does not lead his own diocesan district but assists the local bishop. He is appointed by the Pope to support the bishop in leadership tasks, visitations, and consecrations such as confirmations or priestly ordinations.
Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest metropolis after Berlin. The proportion of Catholics in the Archdiocese is approximately five percent of the population.
This appointment marks a significant development for the Archdiocese of Hamburg, as it welcomes a new leader to assist in its pastoral and administrative duties. The community awaits the episcopal ordination on October 10, looking forward to Zehe’s contributions to the spiritual life of the region.
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/de/papst/news/2026-06/papst-ernennt-weihbischof-von-hamburg-zehe.html
