Cardinal Reinhard was born in Geseke on September 21, 1953.
He was ordained a Priest on June 2, 1979 for Paderborn, Germany. On July 23, 1996 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop for that diocese, as well as Titular Bishop of Petina. His ordination as Bishop took place on Spetember 21, 1996.
On December 20, 2001 he was appointed Bishop of Trier, Germany, and was installed there on April 1, 2002. A few years later, on November 30, 2007, he was appointed Archbishop of München und Freising {Munich}, Germany and was installed there on February 2, 2008.
He was elevated to Cardinal on November 20, 2010 and appointed Cardinal-Priest of San Corbiniano. His installation took place on June 5, 2011.
