Overview

• Petra Bahr officially departs her role as Regionalbischöfin of Hannover, where she oversaw over 200 congregations and 440,000 members since 2017.
• Bahr joins the Federal Ministry for Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth under CDU Minister Karin Prien, citing threats to liberal democracy as a driving factor in her decision.
• She brings extensive experience from her academic, ethical, and policy-focused career, including roles with the EKD, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, and the German Ethics Council.
• Her departure surprised many, with some previously speculating she might succeed Landesbischof Ralf Meister, who praised her analytical acumen and intellect.
• Bahr's move underscores the longstanding interplay between church leadership and government roles in Germany, reflecting her commitment to societal and democratic values.