Andreas Weiß (lawyer)

Andreas Weiß (born September 17, 1954 in Gnotzheim ) is a German lawyer and canon lawyer , professor at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and Catholic deacon .

Life and education

Andreas Weiß was born in Gnotzheim in what is now the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district in 1954. He graduated from the Adam-Kraft-Gymnasium in Schwabach in 1973. From 1973 to 1979 he studied Catholic theology in Eichstätt and Würzburg and graduated in 1979 with a degree in theology . Weiß is married to Maria Magdalena Weiß geb. Zehrer and has three sons.

academic career

In 1982 he completed further training for the service examination in the church service of the Diocese of Rottenburg . By studying at the University of Strasbourg from 1984 to 1990, he obtained a degree in canon law (1985) and law in 1986, the Diplôme d'études approfondies in 1988 and was awarded a doctorate in 1990. jur. can. PhD. In 1995 he completed his habilitation in canon law at the University of Tübingen and was licensed to teach .

Professional career

From 1979 to 1980 Andreas Weiß was a research assistant at the chair for canon law and ecclesiastical legal history at the Catholic University of Eichstätt with Hubert Müller. From 1980 to 1982 full-time trainee permanent deacon in Rottenburg (previously part-time). 1983–1999 Official Councilor or Senior Councilor at the Episcopal Office of Rottenburg. From 1985 diocesan judge and since 2001 presiding judge. In 1987 he was ordained a permanent deacon. From 1995 to 1999 he was a private lecturer at the University of Tübingen. In 1999 he was appointed professor for canon law and ecclesiastical legal history at the theological faculty of the University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, succeeding Peter Krämer .

Legal action before the Federal Constitutional Court

During his studies, Weiß successfully sued the Federal Constitutional Court and reached a fundamental decision on postponing military service in accordance with Section 12 (2) WPflG in conjunction with Section 11 WPflG, with regard to the equal treatment of candidates for the then relatively new permanent diaconate with candidates for priesthood. Weiß argued that Section 11 provides for the ordination of the deacon as a reason for exemption from military service. In his opinion, the preparation for the permanent diaconate also falls under §12 WPflG, which provides for a deferral from military service for candidates for priesthood. A privilege for theology students that goes back to the Reich Concordat of 1933.

In contrast to the priesthood candidate, who can be ordained a deacon at the end of his studies at the age of approx. 25 and is exempt from military service from this point in time, the age limit for permanent deacons is 35 years. This means that even after the theological studies have been completed, there would still be around 10 years to convene. If the deacon belongs to a permanent training group, this time is also covered by § 11 WPflG. Weiss's lawsuit was upheld in 1974, after which he remained exempt from military service. The District Armed Forces Replacement Office then demanded annual confirmation from the episcopal ordinariate about the existence of a training relationship as a permanent deacon in his case.

Professional career

In 1980, Weiß was briefly a research assistant at the chair for canon law and ecclesiastical legal history in Eichstätt with Hubert Müller . From 1980 to 1982 he acted as a trainee permanent deacon in St. Moriz , Rottenburg am Neckar . Until 1999 he was an official councilor or senior councilor at the Episcopal Office of Rottenburg, where he worked as a diocesan judge from 1985 and as its chairman from 2001. In 1987 he was ordained permanent deacon , as which he worked until 1999 in the parish of St. Moriz in Rottenburg aN. Since then, Weiß has been working as a volunteer in the pastoral care unit Rottenburg-Süd as a deacon with a civilian profession.

From 1995 he worked as a private lecturer at the Catholic Theological Faculty of the University of Tübingen with a license to teach canon law. Since 1997 he has been a member of the Church Disciplinary Court of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. In 1999 he became professor for canon law and church legal history at the theological faculty of the University of Eichstätt. In 2009 he also became a church attorney at the Episcopal Office of Eichstätt.

Memberships

• KDStV Alcimonia Eichstätt
• KDStV Franco-Raetia Würzburg
• AV Cheruskia Tübingen

Web links

• Andreas Weiß on the website of the University of Eichstätt
• Andreas Weiß on the website of the Episcopal Office of Eichstätt