The opposition to Wöllner was, indeed, at the outset strong enough to prevent his being entrusted with the department of religion; but this too in time was overcome, and on 3 July 1788 he was appointed active privy councillor of state and of justice and head of the spiritual department for Lutheran and Catholic affairs.
A oposición a Wollner foi, ao principio, o suficientemente forte para impedir que se lle confiase o departamento de relixión; pero isto tamén foi superado co tempo e o 3 de xullo de 1788 foi designado conselleiro privado de estado e de xustiza e cabeza do departamento espiritual para os asuntos Luteranos e Católicos.