Roman Catholic Diocese of Essen

The Diocese of Essen (Dioecesis Essendiensis) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in Germany, founded on 1 January 1958. The Bishop of Essen is seated in Essen Cathedral (Essener Dom or Essener Münster), once the church of Essen Abbey, and over one thousand years old.

The diocese contains about one million Catholics in the heavily urbanized and industrial Ruhr Area.

Bishops

 * Franz Hengsbach (1957–1991)
 * Hubert Luthe (1991–2002)
 * Felix Genn (2003–2008)
 * Franz-Josef Overbeck (since 20 December 2009); he was appointed Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Germany, while remaining Bishop of Essen, by Pope Benedict XVI on 24 February 2011.

Auxiliary bishops

 * Ludger Schepers
 * Wilhelm Zimmermann (bishop)