Petra Bahr's New Role as State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education
Hanoverian Bishop is set to assume role as State Secretary. - Diocesan leader from Hanover appointed as State Secretary
Petra Bahr, the 59-year-old theologian and current Regional Bishop of Hannover, is set to make a significant jump from regional to federal politics. Bahr will takes on the position of State Secretary in Berlin, joining Karin Prien (CDU) at the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Seniors, Women, and Youth as announced by the Evangelical Church of Hannover.
Bahr's appointment has been hailed for her unique approach to her role as Regional Bishop, as well as her wisdom and sharp analytical perspective. Bishop Ralf Meister lauded her significant contributions to the discourse between church, politics, science, and culture.
Bahr's professional journey began at universities in Münster, Bochum, and Jerusalem, where she studied Theology and Philosophy. She furthered her academic career, achieving a doctorate in 2002 at the University of Basel with a dissertation on Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Judgment.
Prior to her tenure as Regional Bishop, Bahr held various roles within the Evangelical Church. She served as the cultural affairs officer for the EKD's council and later as the Regionalbischöfin (regional bishop) of the Lutheran Church of Hanover. She also sat on the German Ethics Council since 2020.
Bahr's political involvement includes a stint as the head of the main department for politics and advising at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, a political foundation associated with the CDU. Her extensive experience in this role showcases her expertise in policy advising and strategic leadership.
Bahr's new role in the Federal Ministry of Education is expected to bring a fresh perspective, leveraging her deep understanding of ethics, culture, and societal issues. This move signals a new chapter in her public service career, promising to deliver modern social policy beyond urban and progressive environments.
Key Career Milestones in Petra Bahr's Life
| Year(s) | Role/Position ||-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| Journalistic Training || Studied Theology and Philosophy at multiple universities || 2000–2006 | Lecturer, Religious Philosophy and Ethics, University of Frankfurt am Main || 2002 | PhD, University of Basel (on Kant’s Critique of Judgment) || 2000–2005 | Researcher, Forschungsstätte der evangelischen Studiengemeinschaft, Heidelberg || 2014–2016 | Head of Politics and Advising, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (CDU-associated) || 2017–2025 | Regionalbishop, Lutheran Church of Hanover || 2020– | Member, German Ethics Council || 2025 | State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Education, Family, Seniors, Women, and Youth |
Her career embodies a strong combination of academic, ecclesiastical, and political leadership, with a particular focus on ethics, culture, and societal issues.
1.Petra Bahr, appointed as State Secretary in Berlin, hails from Hannover, a city in EC countries, where she served as Regional Bishop.2.Before her tenure in the EC countries, Bahr pursued vocational training in Theology and Philosophy at multiple universities, including Münster, Bochum, and Jerusalem.3.Bahr's extensive experience in policy-and-legislation includes serving as the head of the main department for politics and advising at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, a politically affiliated organization.4.During her academic career, Bahr was known for her research in ethics, achieving a doctorate in 2002 from the University of Basel with a dissertation on Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Judgment.
