Johann J. Döllinger (1799-1890)

Ignaz von Döllinger (as he is commonly known) was born in Bamberg in 1799. Both his father and his grandfather had been eminent physicians and professors of medical science. After his initial education at the Gymnasium at Würzburg, Döllinger attended the university there to study natural philosophy. However his interests soon broadened and he became fascinated by theology and ecclesiastical history. He studied for the Roman Catholic priesthood at Bamberg and was ordained in 1822. After a brief time at Scheinfeld and Aschaffenberg, he moved in 1826 to Munich to become professor of theology.

He quickly gained an international reputation for scholarship in the area of church history and wrote a number of influential books in the course of his career. He also played an active part in the theological controversies of his day, and in the debate about the relationship between church and contemporary society, where he championed the freedom of the church. In 1848, he was elected to the national German assembly at Frankfurt. He maintained contact with many influential figures across Europe including Lamennais and some of the leading protagonists in the Oxford movement.

In the 1860s, he emerged as one of the key figures who opposed the definition of papal infallibility. Opposition to such a development was particularly strong among German theologians and many looked to Döllinger as their leader in this debate. When the first Vatican Council was convened in December 1869, Döllinger and his friends published a series of letters critically summarising the proceedings. However in 1870, the dogma of papal infallibility was affirmed by the Council. This marked the beginning of a very difficult time for Döllinger. He felt he could not in conscience subscribe to this dogma and in August 1870 he convened in Munich a conference of professors which affirmed their opposition. When Döllinger refused to submit and accept papal infallibility, he was excommunicated and gained great notoriety across Europe, along with many honours from institutions such as the University of Oxford which opposed papal supremacy.

In the 1870s he was a leading figure in a series of meetings which led to the formation of the Old Catholic Church, though Döllinger himself never became a member. He remained a member of the Roman Catholic Church – although excommunicate – until his death in 1890. He was however able to continue as professor at the University of Munich because of the patronage and support of King Ludwig of Bavaria and other University officials.