Background
Hempel, Johannes was born on March 23, 1929 in Zittau, Saxony, Germany. Son of Albert Hempel and Gertrud (Buchwald) Hempel.
Hempel, Johannes was born on March 23, 1929 in Zittau, Saxony, Germany. Son of Albert Hempel and Gertrud (Buchwald) Hempel.
Graduate, Leipzig University, Germany, 1951. Doctor of Theology, Leipzig University, Germany, 1958. Doctor of Theology (honorary), Leipzig University, Germany, 1982.
Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Kent-Cantenbury University, England, 1984. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Muhlenberg College, 1987.
Minister Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Saxony, 1952-1956, bishop, since 1971. Presiding bishop United Lutheran Church/Federation Evangelical Churches German Democratic Republic, 1977-1991. Teacher theology Student College, German Democratic Republic, 1956-1959, theological director German Democratic Republic, 1963-1970.
Pastor for students Leipzig, 1959-1963. President World Council Churches, Geneva, since 1983.
Married Dorothea Schönbach in 1956. Children: Albrecht, Gabriele, Martin.