Georg von Kopp (25 July 1837 – 4 March 1914) was a German Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church[1]' who served as Bishop of Fulda (1881–1887) and Prince-Bishop of Breslau (1887–1914). He was known for his anti-Polish views and pursued the Germanization of Polish Catholics in his dioceses.

His Eminence

Georg von Kopp
Bishop of Breslau
DioceseBreslau
SeeBreslau
Appointed9 August 1887
Term ended4 March 1914
PredecessorRobert Herzog
SuccessorAdolf Bertram
Other post(s)Cardinal-Priest of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura
Previous post(s)Bishop of Fulda (1881-1887)
Orders
Ordination28 August 1862
Consecration27 December 1881
by Daniel Wilhelm Sommerwerk
Created cardinal16 January 1893
by Pope Leo XIII
RankCardinal Priest
Personal details
Born(1837-07-25)25 July 1837
Died4 March 1914(1914-03-04) (aged 76)
Opava, Austrian Silesia
DenominationRoman Catholic
Coat of armsGeorg von Kopp's coat of arms

Biography

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Kopp was born in Duderstadt in the Kingdom of Hanover. He was the son of a weaver and attended the gymnasium at Hildesheim. In 1856 he became a telegraph operator in the employ of the Hanoverian government.[2]

From 1858 to 1861, he studied theology and in 1862 entered the priesthood. He rose rapidly in his profession and in 1872 was made vicar-general at Hildesheim and three years later bishop of Fulda. He worked to bring about a better understanding between the German government and the papal curia. After his election to the House of Lords he obtained a mitigation of the anti-Catholic provisions which characterized the May laws.

In 1887, with the approval of the Prussian government, the Pope appointed him prince-bishop of Breslau (Wroclaw), and in 1893 he was made cardinal. As prince bishop he pursued Germanization and censured those priests whom he suspected as resisting these measures, opposed used of Polish in classes and communion, and tried secretly to discourage Polish faithful from making pilgrimages to Kraków.[3] He was made Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1893. He took part in the 1903 conclave which elected Pope Pius X.[1][4] He was honored to be listed first among the recipients of that pope’s encyclical Singulari Quadam promulgated on 24 September 1912.[5] Kopp died in Opava in Austrian Silesia.

Notes

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References

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  • This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainRines, George Edwin, ed. (1920). "Kopp, Georg" . Encyclopedia Americana.
  • Salvador Miranda: The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church Archived 2009-03-07 at the Wayback Machine
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Fulda
1881–1887
Succeeded by
Preceded by Prince-Bishop of Breslau
1887–1914
Succeeded by
Preceded by Cardinal Priest of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura
1893–1914
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of the Fulda Conference of Catholic Bishops
1897–1913
Succeeded by