Josef Clemens

Josef Clemens (born 20 June 1947 in Siegen) is a German bishop. He was Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity from November 2003 until it ceased operations on 1 September 2016. He was personal secretary to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) from 1984 to 2003.

Biography Josef Clemens was born on 20 June 1947 in Siegen in the Archdiocese of Paderborn. He was given the rank of Chaplain of His Holiness on 17 March 1989 and that of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness in 1999. On 25 November of the same year, he was appointed Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and Titular Bishop of Segermes. He received his episcopal ordination on 6 January 2004 from Cardinal Ratzinger. On 1 June 2018, the new dicastery issued its report on the Church and sport, which had been years in development under Clemens. He became responsible for the monastery's 40 canons, 24 parishes, and extensive property holdings and finances.