German Bishops’ ConferenceUdo Markus Bentz was born on 3 March 1967 in Rülzheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He studied theology and philosophy in Mainz and Innsbruck and was ordained to the priesthood in 1995. He later obtained a doctorate in theology from the University of Freiburg, with a thesis on the theology of Karl Rahner.
From 2007, Bentz served as Rector of the Mainz seminary. In 2015, Pope Francis appointed him Titular Bishop of Sita and Auxiliary Bishop of Mainz. He was ordained bishop on 20 September 2015. From 2017, he served as Vicar General of the Diocese of Mainz and its Financial Officer.
In December 2023, Pope Francis appointed Bentz Archbishop of Paderborn, following his election by the Metropolitan Chapter. He was installed on 10 March 2024.
In 2024, he was elected Chairman of the German Commission for Justice and Peace for the 2024–2029 term.
Archbishop Bentz chairs Commission V on Society and Caritative Affairs of the German Bishops’ Conference. He is also Chairman of the DBK Working Group on Europe and, in this capacity, since September 2026 serves as a delegate to COMECE.