Vatican City, 1 July 2016 – The Holy Father appointed Msgr Georg Bätzing as bishop of Limburg (area 6,182, population 2,407,000, Catholics 638,481, priests 434, permanent deacons 70, religious 824), Germany. The bishop-elect was born in Kirchen, Germany in 1961 and was ordained a priest in 1987. He holds a doctorate in theology from the University of Trier, and has served in a number of pastoral roles in the diocese of Trier including parish vicar, and vice rector and subsequently rector of the major seminary. In 2005 he was nominated Chaplain of His Holiness. He is currently canon of the Cathedral Chapter and vicar general of the diocese of Trier.