Published: 2023-01-06

Heinrich Förster’s Way to Episcopal Consecration in Wrocław (1799– 1853)

Norbert Jerzak
Studia Teologiczno-Historyczne Śląska Opolskiego
Section: Articles
DOI https://doi.org/10.25167/sth.4854

Abstract

Heinrich Förster was born on 24 November 1799 in Głogów. He attended the local grammar school, where he passed his matriculation examination in 1821, after which he entered the Wroclaw seminary and began his theological studies at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Wroclaw. After completing his formation and studies, he was ordained
a priest on 17 July 1825. He worked as a vicar at the parish of Saints Apostles Peter and Paul in Legnica. In 1828 he was appointed parish priest at the parish of Saints Apostles
Peter and Paul in Kamienna Góra, where he served until 1837. That same year he came to Wrocław, where on 11 October he became canon of the Wrocław chapter and cathedral priest in Wrocław. Förster emphasised the fundamental importance of the principles of faith in the preaching of the Word of God. His preaching ministry coincides with the dispute over mixed marriages, in which he took an upright position. From 1845 to 1853, i.e. during the reign of Cardinal Melchior von Diepenbrock, Rev. Canon Förster was his closest and trusted collaborator. On 20 September 1845, he received an honorary doctorate from the Wrocław Theological Faculty. After the death of Cardinal Melchior von Diepenbrock, the cathedral chapter elected Förster as chapter vicar on 20 January 1853, and as Ordinary of the Diocese of Wrocław on 19 April. As bishop, he continued the work of moral and religious renewal
begun by his predecessor.

Keywords:

Fr Heinrich (Henryk) Förster, mixed marriage dispute, cathedral preacher, Bishop Leopold Sedlnitzky, Cardinal Melchior von Diepenbrock

Download files

Citation rules

Jerzak, N. (2023). Heinrich Förster’s Way to Episcopal Consecration in Wrocław (1799– 1853). Studia Teologiczno-Historyczne Śląska Opolskiego, 42(2), 177–199. https://doi.org/10.25167/sth.4854

Cited by / Share

This website uses cookies for proper operation, in order to use the portal fully you must accept cookies.