Heinrich Förster (bishop)

Heinrich Förster ( * November 24, 1799 in Glogau, † October 20, 1881 in Johannesberg ) was Prince-Bishop of Breslau.

Background and Career

His parents were the painter Johann Kasper forester and Marianne, born Rittler. From 1821 to 1824 he studied theology at the Leopoldina. Here he became in 1821 a member of the fraternity Arminia Breslau (now Wroclaw Old fraternity of Raczeks ). After ordination in 1825 he served as chaplain in Legnica and from 1828 to 1837 as pastor in Landshut, where he established his reputation as a good preacher. This is probably why he was appointed in 1837 as preacher and canon at the Breslau cathedral. In 1843 he received a doctorate in theology.

In contrast to the pro-government attitude of the then Bishop Leopold of Sedlnitzky he represented in the mixed marriage dispute the Church's point of view. In his sermons, he also dealt with political issues, such as the German Catholicism, which he refused, or the March Revolution.

1848 Forester was elected to the National Assembly in Frankfurt. On the Würzburg Synod of the German Bishops' Conference, he was the Breslau Bishop Melchior von Diepenbrock and wrote on whose behalf a landmark pastoral letter. After Diepenbrock death in 1853 forester was appointed vicar.

Bishop of Breslau

On April 19, 1853 in Breslau cathedral chapter Heinrich Förster elected bishop. After the consecration of October 18, he continued begun by his predecessor measures to religious renewal. During his tenure, the foundation of the Neisser Knabenkonvikts, the construction of St. Michael's Church in Wroclaw, the founding of the Sisters of Mary, the arrival of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in the Diocese and the extension of your club life falls. For the Clergy he held diocesan meetings.

1869-1870 he took part in the Vatican Council, where he was part of the opposition to the definition of the dogma of infallibility. With 87 other bishops, he voted against the definition and left on July 17, 1870 Rome. Triggered by the dogma elimination of the Old Catholics, which was also supported by individual members of the Wroclaw Catholic faculty, he could not prevent.

Determined resistance made ​​against the Rangers planned by the government laws in the church culture war in which he he was repeatedly fined for excommunication of pro-government priests and parishioners unpleasant occupations. From Breslau Oberpräsident he was asked to resign the episcopate and after he refused this, initiated a preliminary investigation against him.

Because of the impending arrest, he went on May 6, 1875 - three weeks after his golden anniversary as a priest - in the summer residence of the Austrian diocese after Jauernig part of his diocese. On October 6, 1875, the State Court decreed dismissal of Church Affairs forester. Although he had to spend his old age in exile, he was buried after his death in Wrocław Cathedral.

Letters

• 4 letters Heinrich Förster Countess Ida Hahn -Hahn. August 24, 1852 to March 17, 1863

Works

• The call of the Church to the present. Time sermons on the Sundays of the liturgical year. 2 volumes, 1848 f
• Total sermons. 6 volumes, 1848 ff
• Entire pastoral letters from 1853 to 1878. 2 volumes, 1880