Karl Lehmann (16 May 1936 – 11 March 2018) was a German prelate and cardinal of the Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Mainz from 1983 to 2016, being elevated to the cardinalate in 2001.

He served as chairman of the Conference of the German Bishops from 1987 to 2008, being considered one of the most influential prelates in Germany in those years and a leading proponent of liberal stances within the Church. Before he became a bishop, he worked as professor of theology at the University of Mainz and the University of Freiburg.

Early years, education and career as theological scholar

Lehmann was born in Sigmaringen and grew up in Veringenstadt. His father was a local teacher and his mother educated as a bookseller. During his high school years, he lived in the Catholic student home in Sigmaringen.

He studied at the Seminary of Freiburg from 1957 to 1964 and then at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he earned a doctorate in philosophy,

Bishop and cardinal

When he was appointed Bishop of Mainz in 1983 at the age of 47

After being elected deputy chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Germany in 1985, he was elected chairman of the conference in 1987 and held that position for 21 years until 2008,

He served as member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1986 to 1998 and served as vice-president of the Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe from 1993 to 2001.

In 1993, Lehmann along with Bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart Walter Kasper and Archbishop of Freiburg Oskar Saier issued a pastoral letter that argued that there should be an opening for pastoral flexibility on allowing divorced and civilly remarried persons to receive the Eucharist. The letter was read in the churches of their dioceses in September of that year.

Abortion was a major issue during Lehmann's term as chairman of the Conference of the German Bishops. After the German reunification abortion laws needed to be reconciled. Working closely with CDU and Helmut Kohl, Lehmann favoured a compromise where abortion remained illegal, but under certain circumstances not punishable. This became the fundament for the German legislation in the area. To obtain impunity, a woman was in most cases required to go through counseling before abortion and the Church would for a time offer such counseling. In 1998 Pope John Paul II, against the wish of Lehmann and a majority of German bishops, banned the Church from participating in the system.

thumb|upright|Lehmann at the closing of Tage der Begegnung, Mainz, 2005

Lehmann was raised to the rank of cardinal by Pope John Paul II at the consistory of 21 February 2001. The appointment came unexpected to many observers due to Lehmann's relatively liberal view on abortion counselling and giving eucharist to remarried parishioners.

Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Bishop of Mainz on 16 May 2016, his 80th birthday.

Being considered a leading force for a more liberal Catholicism, he was called a bridge-builder, a man of dialogue and a "stroke of luck for German Catholics" by supporters, while Conservative critics derided the "Lehmann Church" as too accommodating to modern values.

His Latin motto, State in fide (English: "Stand firmly in the faith") was derived from .

Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel expressed sorrow at his death and referred to him as one of the most prominent figures of the Catholic Church in Germany. The chairman of the German Bishops' Conference Reinhard Marx paid respect to Lehmann as a man who had influenced the Catholic Church globally.

Honors and awards

  • 2000 Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland)
  • 2002 Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg
  • 2006 Commander of the Legion of Honour

References

  • Karl Cardinal Lehman at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
  • Curriculum vitae from the Diocese of Mainz