- Joseph Wittig
Joseph Wittig (
January 22 ,1879 -August 22 ,1949 ) was a Germantheologian and writer who was born in Neusorge, a village in the district of Neurode,Silesia .In 1903 he received his doctorate of
theology from theUniversity of Breslau , and was ordained a priest by CardinalGeorg von Kopp (1837-1914). Subsequently he worked as a chaplain inLauban , and beginning in 1904 studiedChristian art and architecture inRome as a member of the German Archaeological Institute. During this time he also took part on a study trip to North Africa with theologianFranz Joseph Dölger (1879-1940). After returning to Germany he was a chaplain in Patschkau, and later inBreslau .In 1911 Wittig became an associate professor of church history and
Christian archaeology , and in 1915 was a full professor ofpatrology , church history and art at the Theological Faculty of the University of Breslau. In 1917-18 he attained the office of Dean at the University.Wittig is remembered for his work as a religious reformer at Breslau. His theological and literary ideas often placed him at odds with
Catholic Church hierarchy. In 1922 he wrote an article titled "Die Erlösten" (The Redeemed) that was openly critical of church dogma, and in 1925 published a book that was an historical reconstruction of the life ofJesus Christ . This latter work, "Leben Jesu in Palästina, Schlesien und anderswo" was placed on the Church's index of banned books. In 1926 Wittig was excommunicated from the Church, and was forced to resign his teaching position at Breslau. It wouldn't be until 1946 that he was able to receive official reconciliation with Church hierarchy.Following his excommunication, he returned to Neusorge as a private scholar and writer. Here he was the author of numerous popular stories as well as religious-themed works, and with
philosopher Martin Buber (1878-1965) andphysiologist Viktor von Weizsäcker (1886-1957), he was co-publisher of the magazine "Die Kreatur". Also during this time period he was achronicler in the district ofNeurode .References
* "This article is based on a translation of an article from the German Wikipedia."
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