Background
He was born in Rößel, East Prussia (modern Reszel, Poland).
He was born in Rößel, East Prussia (modern Reszel, Poland).
He studied Theology in the Lycaeum Hosianum in Braunsberg and was ordained on June 8, 1856.
He was a vicar in Bischofsburg, then a pastor in Grieslienen, working among the Warmia Catholics, where he learned the Polish language. In 1868, he was made a pastor of Königsberg parish and was appointed Dean of Samland, and honorary canon of Ermeland. He was the first non-Polish Primate of Poland in several hundred years.
His rise to the office was at the promption of Otto von Bismarck, who wanted a German in the role, as part of his Germanisation-politics.
Bismarck put pressure on the Vatican to appoint Dinder. Pope Leo XIII, decided not to exacerbate a conflict with the German Empire.
His appointment was opposed by the polish Chancellor and the majority of the clergy. Dinder was an appointment of the German Emperor, and supported pro-German policies.
However, in 1888 he asked the clergy to abstain from all political statements.
Poland that this time was not a state and he encouraged the use of German in schools instead of Polish. He also appointed several German priests, however in what could be seen as a conciliatory action did appointed Poles Joseph Cybichowskiego as vicar-general, Edward Likowskiego as Bishop of Poznań and January Korytkowskiego as assistant in Gniezno. He died in Posen on 30 May 1890.
"Kurier Poznański" wrote of him "everything you did, had a sense of Justice and kindness, which indeered him in hearts and minds".