Wilhelm Kempf (bishop)
Wilhelm Kempf | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Limburg | |
Joseph Frings | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 August 1906 |
| Died | 9 October 1982 (aged 76) Wiesbaden, West Germany |
| Previous post(s) | Heilig Geist, Frankfurt |
| Coat of arms |  |
Wilhelm Kempf (10 August 1906 – 9 October 1982) was a German Catholic theologian who served between 1949 and 1981 as Bishop of
Career
Born in
As bishop, Kempf contended with the aftermath of the war, including the rebuilding of damaged churches, integration of displaced persons (Heimatvertriebene), and establishment of new parishes in the major cities of Frankfurt and Wiesbaden.[3] He took part in the Second Vatican Council between 1962 and 1965 and introduced its changes in the diocese in an exemplary way.[3] He promoted spiritual discourse and open dialogue ("geistige Auseinandersetzung und offenen Dialog), introduced liturgical reform, and a structure in which priest and lay people cooperated.[3] Particularly interested in church music, he founded the Limburger Domsingknaben boys' choir in 1967.[2] From 1969, he gave more influence to the councils of mostly lay people who were democratically elected in parishes. He was regarded as conservative but tolerant and open to reform.[1]
On 10 August 1981, his 75th birthday, Kempf requested his retirement, which was granted. He died on 9 October 1982 in Wiesbaden and is buried in the Limburg Cathedral.[2]
Awards and legacy
In 1973, Kempf was awarded the
The central meeting house of the diocese of Limburg in Wiesbaden-Naurod, which he had planned as a place of spiritual intercourse and open dialogue, is named after him.[1][7]
Publications
Kempf's publications include:[2]
- Glaubensüberzeugung und Geistesfreiheit. Knecht, Frankfurt am Main 1962
- Auf dein Wort hin. Briefe des Bischofs von Limburg an die Gemeinden des Bistums zur österlichen Bußzeit 1972-1981. Verlag des Bischöflichen Ordinariats, Limburg, ISBN 3-921221-01-3
- Für euch und für alle. Brief des Bischofs von Limburg zur Fastenzeit 1981 an die Gemeinden des Bistums, besonders an die Fernstehenden. Verlag des Bischöflichen Ordinariats, Limburg 1981, ISBN 3-921221-02-1
References
- ^ a b c d e Buchholz, Kurt. ""Wer war eigentlich...": Bischof Wilhelm Kempf?" (in German). Wiesbaden. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Dr. Wilhelm Kempf" (in German). Limburg. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "Bischof Wilhelm Kempf" (in German). Wilhelm-Kempf-Haus. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ Martin Persch 1992.
- ^ "Bishop Wilhelm Kempf". catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- ^ Bekanntgabe von Verleihungen des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Bundesanzeiger. Year 25, No. 85, 8 May 1973.
- ^ "Wilhelm-Kempf-Haus" (in German). Wilhelm-Kempf-Haus. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
Literature
- Walther Kampe: Ein Leben für die Kirche: Festrede zum 75. Geburtstag von Dr. Wilhelm Kempf. Knecht, Frankfurt am Main 1981, ISBN 3-7820-0468-X
- Martin Persch (1992). "Wilhelm Kempf (bishop)". In Bautz, Friedrich Wilhelm (ed.). Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL) (in German). Vol. 3. Herzberg: Bautz. cols. 1340–1343. ISBN 3-88309-035-2.
External links
- Literature by and about Wilhelm Kempf (bishop) in the German National Library catalogue
- Wilhelm Kempf catholic-hierarchy.org
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