Georg Michael Wittmann

Georg Michael Wittmann (1760-1833)

Georg Michael Wittmann (born January 22, 1760 in Pleystein ; † March 8, 1833 in Regensburg ) was auxiliary bishop in Regensburg and since July 1, 1832 appointed bishop of Regensburg.

Life

Georg Michael Wittmann was the son of a hammer estate owner on Gut Finkenhammer near Pleystein / Opf. in Bavaria . After a year of preparation in the Amberg Latin School , he entered the Erasmus Gymnasium Amberg , where he passed his Abitur. From 1778 he received a scholarship at the Heidelberg Konvikt Seminarium Carolinum and at the same time attended the University of Heidelberg . After studying philosophy there - where he obtained his doctorate degree - and theology , Wittmann was ordained a priest on December 21, 1782 in Regensburg . Initially active as an assistant priest in the country, he was called to the episcopal city of Regensburg in 1788 . As sub- rain and from 1802 as rain of the seminary , he devoted himself to future priests for 45 years. He was considered a reformer of priestly education and set new standards. Johann Nepomuk Ring was appointed by him as sub-rain .

From 1804 to 1829 Wittmann was at the same time pastor of the cathedral parish in Regensburg and from 1821 cathedral capitular .

On May 21, 1829 he was appointed auxiliary bishop in Regensburg and titular bishop of Comama . He received the episcopal ordination on June 28, 1829 by the Archbishop of Munich and Freising , Lothar Anselm von Gebsattel . He was appointed Provost and General Visitor at the same time; In 1830 he was appointed vicar general . On May 15, 1831 he was appointed titular bishop of Miletopolis . After the death of Regensburg Bishop Johann Michael Sailer , King Ludwig I of Bavaria appointed him his successor on July 1, 1832. Before the papal confirmation was received, Wittmann died on March 8, 1833 in a reputation for holiness.

Wittmann was instrumental in the translation and editing of a people's Bible and left behind extensive correspondence as well as works on the Bible, the breviary, celibacy and youth education. He convinced with integrity and social commitment. Wittmann supported his student Maria Theresia von Jesus Gerhardinger in improving the school education of girls, through which the Congregation of the Poor School Sisters of Our Lady was founded. Wittmann did not live to see the approval of the congregation by King Ludwig I in March 1834.

Beatification process

In 1956 a process of beatification was initiated. Pope Francis awarded him the heroic degree of virtue on November 28, 2019 .

Works

• Catholic principles governing marriages between Catholics and Protestants, 1831
• Complete moral doctrine according to the order of the ten commandments of God in 29 Christian teachings, 1832
• The Confessor for the Young Age, 1833
• Catholic Principles from Scripture, 1834
• About the Pentateuch Moses, 1834
• Reminder to the Caelibate, 1834
• On the Moral Use of the Breviary Prayer, 1834
• A Spiritual Meditation Book on the Twelve Articles of Faith and the Passion of Christ, 1838
• Explanation of the holy Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and some letters of St. Paul, 1844
• Christian Catholic Liturgy, ed. Michael Sintzel, 1844
• Exercitia for priests and candidates for priesthood, 1845
• Translation and explanation of the Psalms, ed. Michael Sintzel, 1846

literature

• Friedrich Lauchert :  Wittmann, Georg Michael . In: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Volume 43, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1898, pp. 640-644.
• Johann Baptist Lehner : Bishop Gg. Michael Wittmann of Regensburg (1760–1833) in the judgment of the world and posterity. A memorial sheet on the 100th anniversary of his death. In: Sunday newspaper, Regensburg. 1933
• Johann Baptist Lehner: Michael Wittmann, Bishop of Regensburg. Butzon & Bercker , Kevelaer 1937.
• Werner Chrobak: Georg Michael Wittmann, Bishop of Regensburg. Memorial exhibition on the 150th anniversary of death, March 4 - May 6, 1983 , Regensburg 1983.
• Georg Schwaiger: Georg Michael Wittmann (1760-1833). Bishop , in: Contributions to the history of the Diocese of Regensburg 23/24 (1989) 513-523.
• Emmeram H. Ritter, Georg Michael Wittmann as general visitator for the diocese of Regensburg , Regensburg 1992.
• Johann Baptist Lehner: Who was Wittmann? A picture of the life of the Bishop of Regensburg, who died with a reputation for holiness. Episcopal Ordinate - Catholic Central Office, Regensburg 1857. (New edition: Department for beatification and canonization processes for the diocese of Regensburg, 2000.)
• Emmeram H. Ritter: Auxiliary Bishop Georg Michael Wittmann. The Servant of God in the Service of Holy Scripture and the Bible Apostolate , Regensburg 2000.
• Georg Franz X. Brother-in-law: Bishop Wittmann. Helpers of the afflicted. Short biography, novena / prayers, thoughts , Regensburg 2001.
• Gerhard B. Winkler: Georg Michael Wittmann. Bishop of Regensburg. Between revolution and restoration , Regensburg 2005.
• Georg Franz X. brother-in-law / Matthias Waldmann (ed.): Fascinating priesthood. A collection of sacred works by Bishop Georg Michael Wittmann , Heimbach / Eifel: Patrimonium-Verlag 2016, ISBN 978-3-86417-054-6 .
• Martin Lohmann: Georg Michael Wittmann. Bishop, pastor and reformer , Regensburg: Pustet 2019, ISBN 978-3-7917-3038-7 .

Web links

• Literature by and about Georg Michael Wittmann in the catalog of the German National Library
• Canonization ( Memento of May 24, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
• Georg Michael Wittmann in the Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints
• Entry on Georg Michael Wittmann on catholic-hierarchy.org

Individual evidence

1. ^ Rupert Mittermüller: Life and work of the pious bishop M. Wittmann of Regensburg , Landshut, 1859, p. 17; (Digital scan)
2. ^ Promulgazione di Decreti della Congregazione delle Cause dei Santi. In: Daily Bulletin. Holy See Press Office , November 29, 2019, accessed November 29, 2019 (Italian).