Franz Völker (clergyman)

Franz Völker (born January 25, 1912 in Birkendorf , †  August 20, 2007 in Mannheim ) was a German Roman Catholic pastor . Monsignore Völker was the canon of honor and city ​​dean of Mannheim.

Life

Franz Völker grew up in Mahlberg . Between 1932 and 1938 he studied philosophy and Catholic theology . In 1938 he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Conrad Gröber . After several vicar stations , including at the lower parish of St. Sebastian , he was appointed rector of the Caritas Association in Mannheim in 1945. In 1953 he changed to the parish of St. Ädigius in Mannheim-Seckenheim as pastor . From 1970 to 1985 he was pastor at the Holy Spirit Church and at the same time dean of the city ​​dean of Mannheim until 1982 . From 1973 to 1985 he was also the chairman of the Catholic Church Community.

After the first few years at the Mannheim Caritas Association, which were devoted to coping with the post-war hardship, Franz Völker played a key role in establishing Catholic social work in Mannheim. Until 1990 he remained chairman of the Caritas Association Mannheim. During this time he created countless social institutions that continue to exist. He campaigned for the reconstruction of the Catholic youth and old people's homes and was the initiator of the five Catholic welfare stations in Mannheim. The Albert Stehlin House became a dormitory for men. In D 7, 5 he set up a psychological counseling center for parents, children and young people. He had the St. Annahaus "Am Sandrain" built for mentally ill people. Under his care, the Caritas nursing homes for the elderly Maria Frieden, the Joseph-Bauer-Haus and St. Josef in Buchen-Waldhausen were purchased, as well as a house for assisted living for elderly people, today's Franz Völker Foundation. In addition to setting up the two kindergartens Mirjam and St. Michael, Monsignore Völker created numerous social and advisory services in Mannheim for homeless people, migrants, addicts, debtors and families. In doing so, his focus was always on ecumenism . Together with the other city churches, Franz Völker set up ecumenical institutions such as telephone counseling .

In 1985 he retired, but remained active and founded the Monsignore Franz Völker Foundation in 1995.

Honors

In 1972 he was appointed ecclesiastical council , and in 1975 he was appointed honorary canon of the Freiburg cathedral chapter. In 1979 Pope John Paul II named him Monsignor and he received the Federal Cross of Merit on ribbon. In 1982 the city of Mannheim awarded him the Ring of Honor for his understanding between the denominations and the Christian-Jewish dialogue . The twin town of Toulon awarded him the Medaille d'Or in 1984.

Web links

• Monsignore Franz Völker Foundation