Joseph Widmer
Encyclopedia
Joseph Widmer was a Swiss
Catholic
theologian. A native of Hohenrain
, he died in Beromunster
.
He studied philosophy
at Lucerne
, and theology
at Landshut
(1802-4) under Sailer and Zimmer, the former exercising a great and abiding influence over him. After ordination
Widmer was appointed professor
of philosophy
in 1804, and of moral and pastoral theology in 1819 at the lyceum
of Lucerne. In 1833 he was removed from his position by the Government and received a canonry
in the collegiate chapter at Beromunster; in 1841 he became the provost of this chapter. In connection with Joseph Heinrich Aloysius Gügler
Widmer did good service in opposing the teachings of Ignaz Heinrich von Wessenberg
, and in reviving ecclesiastic life in Switzerland. Among his writings are: "Der katholische Seelsorger" (Munich, 1819–23); "Systematische Uebersicht der in Sailer's Handbuch der christlichen Moral ausführlich entwickelten and dargestellten Grundsätze" (Sarmenstorf, 1839); "Vortrage uber Pastoraltheologie" (Sarmenstorf, 1840). He edited the works of Sailer (Sulzbach, 1830–46), of Franz Geiger (Fluelen, 1823–39), and Gügler (Lucerne, 1828–40).
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
theologian. A native of Hohenrain
Hohenrain
Hohenrain is a municipality in the district of Hochdorf in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland. Since January 1, 2007, Lieli has been part of the municipality.-Geography:...
, he died in Beromunster
Beromünster
Beromünster is a municipality in the district of Sursee in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland. On 1 January 2009 Gunzwil became part of Beromünster.-History:...
.
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 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...
, and theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at Landshut
Landshut
Landshut is a city in Bavaria in the south-east of Germany, belonging to both Eastern and Southern Bavaria. Situated on the banks of the River Isar, Landshut is the capital of Lower Bavaria, one of the seven administrative regions of the Free State of Bavaria. It is also the seat of the...
(1802-4) under Sailer and Zimmer, the former exercising a great and abiding influence over him. After ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
Widmer was appointed professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of 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...
in 1804, and of moral and pastoral theology in 1819 at the lyceum
Lyceum
The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies between countries; usually it is a type of secondary school.-History:...
of Lucerne. In 1833 he was removed from his position by the Government and received a canonry
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
in the collegiate chapter at Beromunster; in 1841 he became the provost of this chapter. In connection with Joseph Heinrich Aloysius Gügler
Joseph Heinrich Aloysius Gügler
Joseph Heinrich Aloysius Gügler was a Swiss theologian.Gügler was born at Udligerschwyl, near Lucerne, Switzerland...
Widmer did good service in opposing the teachings of Ignaz Heinrich von Wessenberg
Ignaz Heinrich von Wessenberg
Ignaz Heinrich von Wessenberg was a German writer and scholar, and liberal Catholic churchman as well as Vicar general and administrator of the Diocese of Constance...
, and in reviving ecclesiastic life in Switzerland. Among his writings are: "Der katholische Seelsorger" (Munich, 1819–23); "Systematische Uebersicht der in Sailer's Handbuch der christlichen Moral ausführlich entwickelten and dargestellten Grundsätze" (Sarmenstorf, 1839); "Vortrage uber Pastoraltheologie" (Sarmenstorf, 1840). He edited the works of Sailer (Sulzbach, 1830–46), of Franz Geiger (Fluelen, 1823–39), and Gügler (Lucerne, 1828–40).