Joseph Höffner served as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cologne between 1969 and 1987, concurrently navigating roles as an economist, theologian, and resistance fighter during the Second World War. His career spanned high-level academic appointments at the University of Münster and the University of Freiburg, ultimately leading the German Bishops' Conference until his death in 1987.
Academic Foundation and Early Career
Born in 1906 in Horhausen, Höffner pursued extensive intellectual training. He attended the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he completed a doctorate in theology in 1934. His academic credentials expanded significantly during the 1930s and 1940s, as he earned degrees in philosophy, economics, and political science. By 1951, he had secured a professorship at the University of Münster, where he founded and directed the Institute of Christian Social Sciences until 1961.
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The ecclesiastical trajectory of Höffner began in earnest when he was appointed Bishop of Münster in 1962. He participated in the Second Vatican Council from 1962 until 1965. On 6 January 1969, he became the Titular Archbishop of Aquileia. Shortly thereafter, on 24 February 1969, he succeeded Josef Frings as the Archbishop of Cologne. In April 1969, Pope Paul VI created him a cardinal.
Ecclesiastical Leadership
As the Cardinal-Priest of Sant'Andrea della Valle, Höffner exerted considerable influence over the German Catholic Church. He served as the President of the German Bishops' Conference from 1976 to 1987. During his tenure, he participated in the 1978 conclaves that elected Pope John Paul I and Pope John Paul II. He formally resigned his position as Archbishop of Cologne on 14 September 1987, dying in Cologne on 16 October 1987.
Legacy and Recognition
In 2003, the State of Israel named Höffner one of the Righteous Among the Nations for his efforts to save Jewish lives during World War II. His awards include the Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. He is buried in the Cologne Cathedral, and his cause for beatification was initiated in 2007.
Fast facts
- Born: 1906, Horhausen
- Died: 1987, Cologne
- Archbishop of Cologne: 1969–1987
- Cardinal: 1969–1987
- President of the German Bishops' Conference: 1976–1987
- Righteous Among the Nations: 2003
- Burial site: Cologne Cathedral
Questions readers ask
What was Höffner's role in the German Catholic Church?
He served as the Archbishop of Cologne from 1969 to 1987 and led the German Bishops' Conference from 1976 until 1987.
Why was he named Righteous Among the Nations?
He received this recognition in 2003 for his actions in saving Jewish lives during World War II.
Achievements
- Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
- Great Cross with Star and Sash of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany — 1982
- Righteous Among the Nations — 2003
- Worked as university teacher, Catholic priest and resistance fighter
- Educated at Pontifical Gregorian University and Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum
