Felix Gmür
Encyclopedia
Felix Gmür is the bishop of Basel since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI
on 23 November 2010. He had previously served as secretary of the Swiss Bishops' Conference.
Gmür was born in Lucerne
in 1966. From 1986 to 1990 he studied philosophy
at the School of Philosophy (of the Jesuits) in Munich
and at the Sèvres Centre in Paris
and received a licentiate
in philosophy. From 1990 to 1994 he studied theology at the Universities of Fribourg and Munich, ending with a degree in theology.
After 1994 he continued his studies of philosophy and exegesis
in Munich, also attending courses in art history. In 1997 he obtained his doctorate in philosophy on the aesthetics of Ludwig Wittgenstein
. While studying in Munich was a student at the supraregional seminary of that city, the Herzogliches Georgianum.
From 1997 to 1999 did the pastoral internship in the diocese of Basel, working first as a pastoral assistant and later as a deacon in the parish of S. Antonio in Basel. He was ordained
a priest on 30 May 1999 in Lucerne for the diocese of Basel. From 1999 to 2001 and was then vicar of that parish administrator of St. Antonio in Basel. From 2001 to 2004 he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University
as a student at the Pontifical Teutonic Institute of Santa Maria dell'Anima
. From 2004 to 2006 he was Vice-Rector
of the Major Seminary in Basel to Lucerne, while working in parishes and Menzingen Neuheim. From 2006 until 2010 he served as secretary of the Swiss Bishops' Conference.
Gmür was chosen by an 18-head advisory council of the cantonal bishopric on 8 September but his nomination had to be approved by the pope. Basel is Switzerland’s largest bishopric and has a history of choosing young heads. His predessor Kurt Koch
was 45 when he took office in 1996 and his predecessor Hansjörg Vogel was 43 – although he had to step down 14 months later when it turned out he had a daughter. Gmür was consecrated and installed on 16 January 2011, in Olten.
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on 23 November 2010. He had previously served as secretary of the Swiss Bishops' Conference.
Gmür was born in Lucerne
Lucerne
Lucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
in 1966. From 1986 to 1990 he studied philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at the School of Philosophy (of the Jesuits) in 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...
and at the Sèvres Centre in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and received a licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in philosophy. From 1990 to 1994 he studied theology at the Universities of Fribourg and Munich, ending with a degree in theology.
After 1994 he continued his studies of philosophy and exegesis
Exegesis
Exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious text. Traditionally the term was used primarily for exegesis of the Bible; however, in contemporary usage it has broadened to mean a critical explanation of any text, and the term "Biblical exegesis" is used...
in Munich, also attending courses in art history. In 1997 he obtained his doctorate in philosophy on the aesthetics of Ludwig Wittgenstein
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein was an Austrian philosopher who worked primarily in logic, the philosophy of mathematics, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of language. He was professor in philosophy at the University of Cambridge from 1939 until 1947...
. While studying in Munich was a student at the supraregional seminary of that city, the Herzogliches Georgianum.
From 1997 to 1999 did the pastoral internship in the diocese of Basel, working first as a pastoral assistant and later as a deacon in the parish of S. Antonio in Basel. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
a priest on 30 May 1999 in Lucerne for the diocese of Basel. From 1999 to 2001 and was then vicar of that parish administrator of St. Antonio in Basel. From 2001 to 2004 he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
as a student at the Pontifical Teutonic Institute of Santa Maria dell'Anima
Santa Maria dell'Anima
Santa Maria dell'Anima is a Roman Catholic church in central Rome, Italy, just west of the Piazza Navona and near the Santa Maria della Pace church. It was the national church of the Holy Roman Empire in Rome...
. From 2004 to 2006 he was Vice-Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the Major Seminary in Basel to Lucerne, while working in parishes and Menzingen Neuheim. From 2006 until 2010 he served as secretary of the Swiss Bishops' Conference.
Gmür was chosen by an 18-head advisory council of the cantonal bishopric on 8 September but his nomination had to be approved by the pope. Basel is Switzerland’s largest bishopric and has a history of choosing young heads. His predessor Kurt Koch
Kurt Koch
Kurt Koch is a Swiss Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, currently serving as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity since his appointment was announced on 1 July 2010...
was 45 when he took office in 1996 and his predecessor Hansjörg Vogel was 43 – although he had to step down 14 months later when it turned out he had a daughter. Gmür was consecrated and installed on 16 January 2011, in Olten.