Johann Baptist von Hirscher

Johann Baptist von Hirscher ( born January 20, 1788 in Alt- Ergarten, Bodnegg, † September 4, 1865 in Freiburg im Breisgau ) was a German Roman Catholic moral theologian and pastoral theologian. The reform-minded yet conservative Hirscher is a major representative of the Catholic Tübingen School and is considered the founder of catechesis as a scientific discipline. In the center of his catechesis is the kingdom of God idea.

Life

The Bodnegger son of farmers attended the convent school in the nearby monastery Weißenau ( to his home parish Bodnegg belonged ). After the dissolution of the monastery with the Reich in 1803 he moved to the high school in the episcopal city of Konstanz before 1807 at the University of Freiburg studied Catholic theology. From 1809 to 1810 he finished his studies at the seminary in Meersburg. Hirscher was ordained to the priesthood in 1810 and spent two years as curate in Röhlingen ( today Ellwangen ). In 1812 he was Repetent at the seminary in Ellwangen.

In 1817 he was appointed to the chair of moral and pastoral theology at the University of Tübingen, where he remained for 20 years. 1820 Honorary Doctorate awarded him there. In 1835 he received the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Württemberg Crown, whereby the personal title of nobility was connected.

In 1837 he became professor of moral theology and catechesis at the University of Freiburg. From there he practiced for 25 years of great influence on the theology of his time. In 1839 he became canon, dean of the cathedral chapter in 1850. As representatives of the University, he was sent in 1850, the First Chamber of the Grand Duchy of Baden. This chamber he already belonged to 1847-1849 and again in 1861-1862 as appointed by the Grand Duke member. 1863 he retired for reasons of age of the teaching back, two years later he died in Freiburg and was buried in the Old Cemetery. His tomb was created by the sculptor Josef Alois Freiburg Knittel.

Work

Hirscher's theology is influenced by his patron Heinrich Ignaz von Wessenberg and by Johann Michael Sailer. Apart from Johann Sebastian Drey, John the Evangelist Kuhn, Franz Anton Staudenmaier and Johann Adam Mohler He was a major representative of the Tübingen school. Hirscher and his colleagues founded in 1819 the Theological quarterly magazine. Hirscher's catechetical writings for laymen were widespread and practiced the Catholic piety of his time great influence.

Hirscher said strictly against liberal influences in the Catholic school system and for the separate denominational schools. However, he is in the field of religious education for reform approaches ( inter alia publication of a catechism ) responsible. Hirscher was - revolutionary at the time - against the memorization, he aimed at those who understand learning and wanted to include the living environment of the students in the classroom. His opponents from the " Second Mainz circle " pleaded for a precise memorization of the catechism (such as the use in Mainz Catechism by Joseph Deharbe ), through which the students should internalize the deposit of faith verbatim. Through his approach Hirscher can be described as the father of modern correlative religious education.

His far-reaching reform proposals for the modernization of the Church on the other hand included the involvement of the laity in synods and holding of trade fairs in the vernacular ( two requirements that the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965, finally cashed ) and the laicization of the clergy and the abolition of celibacy. His demands for reform brought him into conflict with the Catholic doctrine of his time, and two of his books were added to the Index of Forbidden Books.

The child labor and other abuses of the Industrial Revolution denounced Hirscher sharp in his book The social conditions of the present and the church of 1849. The problems of orphans and neglected children he described in his pamphlet The concern for morally abandoned children. He called for a strict organization of the " rescue work " for these children under the leadership of the bishops. From the Archbishop of Freiburg, Hermann von Vicari, he was then given the mandate to establish "educational homes " (such as the children's and youth center in St. Kilian Wallduern ). Hirscher recruited for this purpose a lot of donations and also donated generously itself; for he sold also parts of over the years gathered remarkable art collection.

In his Catechism of the Old Catholic Religion ( 1842) found as "Appendix " to the " Fourth main event" a portion " of the behavior of the children of God against the beasts " (p. 161f. ), An early Catholic response to the creation of the first animal protection association in Germany by the Protestant hymn writer and pastor Albert Knapp, initiated by the font please the poor animals (1822 ), the Protestant pastor Christian Adam then.

Others

After Hirscher the educational center of his hometown Bodnegg and Johann Baptist Hirscher House of the Diocese of Rottenburg -Stuttgart is named in Rottenburg am Neckar.

Writings

(Selection)

  • The Catholic doctrine of indulgences, presented pragmatic. Tübingen 1826, 5th edition 1844 ( DjVu format)
  • Reflections on Sämmtliche Gospels of Lent with the inclusion of the Passion. For Homileten and Bible - reader; At the same time, contributing to the practical font declaration. Tübingen 1829
  • Catechetics, or: the profession of pastor to teach the youth entrusted to him in Christianity and educate according to its entire circumference shown. Tübingen 1831
  • Christian morality as the doctrine of the realization of the divine kingdom in humanity. 3 volumes, 1835-1836 ( Google Books digitized; 1st edition: Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3, 5th edition 1851, Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3)
  • Reflections on the Sunday Gospels of the church year, 2 parts. Tübingen 1837-1843
  • The story of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Saviour world. Tübingen 1839
  • Catechism of the Catholic Christian religion. Hechingen, Carlsruhe and Freiburg 1842
  • The smaller Catechism of the Catholic Christian religion. Freiburg 1845
  • Discussions on the great religious questions of the day. 3 volumes, 1846/1847/1855 (Google Books Vol 1/2)
  • The necessity of a living maintenance of positive Christianity in all classes of society. The German government, first presented to the German parliament in praise. Tübingen 1848
  • The social conditions of the present and the church. Tübingen 1849 (Google Books)
  • The ecclesiastical conditions of the present. Tübingen 1849 (Google Books)
  • Contributions to Homiletics and Catechetics. Tübingen 1852
  • The life of the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God. Freiburg 1853
  • To approximative of the current church dispute, Freiburg 1854
  • Main pieces of the Christian Catholic faith. For school and home. Tübingen 1857
  • Reflections on Sämmtliche Sunday Epistles of the church year, 2 volumes. Freiburg 1860
  • Self-deceptions. Recorded and made available for the transport of self-knowledge to light. Freiburg 1865
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