Franz Schmidberger
Encyclopedia
Franz Schmidberger is a priest of the Society of St. Pius X
, founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
.
Graduated in 1972 in the University of Munich
, in the same year he entered the seminary of Econe
where he was ordained priest on December 8, 1975. Later he taught in the seminary of Weissbad, the first German speaker of the Society.
In 1978 he founded the seminary of Zaitzkofen in Germany
, where he was appointed district superior from 1979.
In 1982 Schmidberger was appointed superior general of the society of St Pius X. In 1994, he was succeeded by Bishop Bernard Fellay
, the present superior.
With Fellay, he is alleged to be part of a faction that favors reconciliation with Rome on the basis of the Campos precedent
, a program which is reportedly opposed by the other three bishops of the SSPX.
In a letter that he addressed to the Catholic bishops of Germany in October 2008, Schmidberger rejected the description that Pope John Paul II
had applied to the Jews: "our older brothers in the faith", and declared that "for as long as they do not distance themselves from their forefathers' guilt through the avowal of Christ's divinity and baptism, they are complicit in the deicide".
Society of St. Pius X
The Society of Saint Pius X is an international Traditionalist Catholic organisation, founded in 1970 by the French archbishop Marcel Lefebvre...
, founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
Marcel Lefebvre
Marcel François Marie Joseph Lefebvre was a French Roman Catholic archbishop. Following a career as an Apostolic Delegate for West Africa and Superior General of the Holy Ghost Fathers, he took the lead in opposing the changes within the Church associated with the Second Vatican Council.In 1970,...
.
Graduated in 1972 in the University of Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, in the same year he entered the seminary of Econe
Ecône
Écône is an area in the municipality of Riddes, district of Martigny, in the canton of Valais, in Switzerland. It is the location of The International Seminary of Saint Pius X.-External links:*...
where he was ordained priest on December 8, 1975. Later he taught in the seminary of Weissbad, the first German speaker of the Society.
In 1978 he founded the seminary of Zaitzkofen in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, where he was appointed district superior from 1979.
In 1982 Schmidberger was appointed superior general of the society of St Pius X. In 1994, he was succeeded by Bishop Bernard Fellay
Bernard Fellay
Bernard Fellay, SSPX is a bishop and superior general of the Traditionalist Catholic Society of St. Pius X. In 1988, the Roman Catholic Church declared Fellay automatically excommunicated through being consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, an act that the Holy See described as...
, the present superior.
With Fellay, he is alleged to be part of a faction that favors reconciliation with Rome on the basis of the Campos precedent
Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney
The Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney was established on 18 January 2002 by Pope John Paul II for traditionalist Catholic clergy and laity within the Diocese of Campos in Brazil. It is the only Personal Apostolic Administration in existence...
, a program which is reportedly opposed by the other three bishops of the SSPX.
In a letter that he addressed to the Catholic bishops of Germany in October 2008, Schmidberger rejected the description that Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
had applied to the Jews: "our older brothers in the faith", and declared that "for as long as they do not distance themselves from their forefathers' guilt through the avowal of Christ's divinity and baptism, they are complicit in the deicide".