Joseph Wittig

Vocation

German theologian and writer remembered for his work as a religious reformer at Breslau. His theological and literary ideas often placed him at odds with Catholic Church hierarchy. In 1922 he was the author of Die Erlösten (The Redeemed), an article that was openly critical of church dogma, and in 1925 published a book that was an historical reconstruction of the life of Jesus Christ. This latter work, Leben Jesu in Palästina, Schlesien und anderswo, was placed on the Church's index of banned books. In 1926 Wittig was excommunicated from the Church, and forced to resign his teaching position at Breslau. It wouldn't be until 1946 that he was able to receive official reconciliation with Church hierarchy. Following his excommunication, he returned to Neusorge as a private scholar and writer. Here he was the author of numerous popular stories as well as religious-themed works. During this time period, he also worked as a chronicler in the district of Neurode. With philosopher Martin Buber (1878-1965) and physiologist Viktor von Weizsäcker (1886-1957), he was co-editor of the magazine Die Kreatur, which was founded by Hans Ehrenberg and Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy. He died on 22 August 1949. Link to Wikipedia biography