The ordination of Friedrich Bernhard Ferdinand Michelis in 1838 followed his academic studies at the Academy of Münster. Throughout a career spanning politics, theology, and the natural sciences, his intellectual output focused on reconciling Platonic thought with religious doctrine while actively engaging in the shifting ecclesiastical landscape of the Kingdom of Prussia.
Academic and Ecclesiastical Career
After his ordination, Michelis served as a chaplain and school teacher in Duisburg starting in 1845. His pastoral service continued in Münster-Albachten from 1855 until 1864, before he transitioned into a professorship of philosophy at the Lyceum in Braunsberg, a post he held until 1872.
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Michelis established himself as an opponent of materialism and a critic of Darwinism and Güntherianism. His publications, such as 1856's Der Materialismus als Köhlerglaube and 1877's Anti-Darwinische Beobachtungen, reflected his commitment to his own philosophical perspective. He sought to integrate the philosophy of Plato with the principles of Roman Catholicism, a project detailed in his two-volume work published between 1858 and 1860.
Political Activity and Ecclesiastical Conflict
In 1860, Michelis participated in the Erfurt conference, which aimed to facilitate the reunification of Catholicism with Protestantism. He served in the Prussian House of Representatives, where he opposed the ecclesiastical policies of Otto von Bismarck. He subsequently became a prominent figure in the Old Catholic movement, joining their parish in Freiburg in 1874.
Editorial Contributions
Michelis served as the editor of the journal Natur und Offenbarung, which focused on the intersection of religion and popular science. He also edited Der Katholik, a publication that targeted Jesuit policies. His prolific writing career included works such as the 1863 Preußen's Beruf für Deutschland und die Weltgeschichte, the 1864 critique of Renan, and the 1876 academic protest against Haeckel, titled Haeckelogonie.
Fast facts
- Born: 1815, Münster
- Died: 1886, Freiburg im Breisgau
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Prussia
- Fields: Philosophy, Theology, Botany
- Major Movement: Old Catholic
Questions readers ask
Why was Michelis excommunicated?
He was excommunicated following his opposition to the Jesuits and the doctrine of papal infallibility as expressed in his pamphlets.
What subjects did he teach?
He taught theology and philosophy, notably as a professor at the Lyceum in Braunsberg and as an instructor at the Episcopal Theological Institute in Paderborn.
Achievements
- Held posts at Theological Faculty of Paderborn
