Johann IX. Philipp von Walderdorff

Johann Philipp Count von Walder Dorff ( born May 24, 1701 Castle Molsberg at Montabaur † January 12, 1768 ) was as Johann IX. 1756-1768 Archbishop and Elector of Trier, and from 1763 Prince-Bishop of Worms.

Life and work

Early years

Johann Philipp von Walderdorff was the most important representative of the Westerwald noble family Walderdorff. He was born the son of the imperial colonel baron Carl Lothar von Walderdorff to Molsberg and Isenberg († 1722) and his wife Anna Katharina Elisabeth Baroness von Kesselstatt († 1733). Between 1665 and 1668 he built with his brother Wild Erich von Walderdorff the Walderdorffer farm in Limburg an der Lahn. From 1720 - 1722 he studied at the Jesuit -led by the University of Mainz, held to 1722 - 1724 as the "Grand Tour" in France and was appointed on September 3, 1739 Vicar General of the Archbishopric of Trier. In 1742 he was elected there to Domdekan and he received as such on 7 October of the priesthood.

Bishop and Elector

On September 16, 1754, Pope Benedict XIV appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Franz Georg von Schönborn and Titular Archbishop of Patras; He was the French preferred candidate. The episcopal ordination gave him his elector on 15 June 1755 in the Capuchin church of Koblenz- Ehrenbreitstein. After the death of Schönborn ( January 18, 1756 ), he followed them in office on February 16, 1756, he received the archiepiscopal pallium.

From 1756 to 1768 he reigned as Archbishop and Elector of Trier, 1763 Walderdorff was additionally also Prince-Bishop of Worms. His active construction testify today the Electoral Palace in Trier, Schloss Engers in Neuwied and the family castle Molsberg in the Westerwald, but which remained a torso through the death of the client.

Johann Philipp von Walderdorff was an avid hunter, loved the baroque splendor and put this also in his court dar. So he let himself be glad to forward as affable character by others, he was thought to be a weak elector. In the religious sphere, he introduced the eternal prayer. He also had to exhibit in 1765 Ehrenbreitstein solemnly the Holy rock and called for a pilgrimage from.

In " Memorable Rhine Antiquarius " it says 1851 Johann Philipp von Walderdorff:

" A gentleman of very prepossessing face education and a sincere Hertzen; his character was noble and very gentle, alert his Humeur always, his mind male, and his Beurtheilungskraft healthy. He was pious without Heuchelen, condescending, gracious and friendly to everyone; extremely beneficial and freygebig, also very compassionate towards the poor and of a starcken and healthy temperament. He had from the shops an easy concept and a very healthy judgment. Below few electors are so much salutary regulations adopted, as indicated under this electors 12 -year-old government. He offended with knowledge no one who was universally beloved, and yet geforchtet dabey; he never used, like his master ancestor (predecessor), the people so easily impart the blessing, each one special to greet the Condescending Enste. "

In the " Theological Encyclopaedia " (2002) Gerhard Müller writes about him that he was popular with the people, as his reign was marred by either private or public debt. His government had compensated the motto that he pushed install in Trier on Walderdorff -Palais: "We probably anyone and evil ." Walderdorff was decidedly pious, he attended daily Mass and celebrated it always personally on all Sundays and public holidays.

His brother was Adalbert II of Walderdorff (1697-1759), Prince-Abbot and Bishop of Fulda, his nephew Philipp Franz Wild Erich von Walderdorff (1739-1810), the last Prince-Bishop of Speyer

Grave

Johann Philip imposing, neoclassical grave monument is located in Trier Cathedral, front left, in front of the entrance to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. On it, the bishop is represented in a lying pose, next to him is a powerful skeletons with Sense. In the book " the history of architecture guide to Trier " (government building officer and Behr, Trier, 1909 ) states that the fact that the skeleton of white marble was removed in the second half of the 19th century from the grave and outsourced the Cathedral Museum, as it too scary for the church looked. Today the grave monument is back in original condition.