BRINKMANN, JOHANNES BERNHARD. – Bishop, b. 4 Feb. 1813 at Everswinkel near Münster, d. 13 Apr. 1889 at Münster. Ordained priest in 1839, he carried out pastoral ministry at Beckum and in the prisons of Münster. Vicar general in 1857, he was promoted bishop of Münster on 27 June 1870. During the *Kulturkampf* Brinkmann was condemned by the state authorities for his vigorous resistance to the *May Laws*, and was compelled by his “systematic opposition” to leave the diocese. Taking refuge at Straebek in Holland, he returned to his see in Jan. 1884 after being pardoned by the Prussian authorities.
BIBL.: W. Cramer, *J. B., Bischof von Münster*, Münster in W. 1874; J. Schürmann, *J. B. B., Bischof von Münster im Kulturkampf*, 10th ed., ibid. 1925.