Alfred Bengsch

Alfred Bengsch (September 10, 1921 – December 13, 1979) was a German Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Berlin from 1961 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1967.

His Eminence Alfred Bengsch
Cardinal, Archbishop (personal title) of Berlin
Alfred Bengsch preaching in Worbis, 24 September 1978.
Church	Roman Catholic
Diocese	Berlin
Installed	16 August 1961
Term ended	13 December 1979
Predecessor	Julius Döpfner
Successor	Joachim Meisner
Orders
Ordination	2 April 1950 by Konrad von Preysing
Consecration	11 June 1959 by Julius Döpfner
Created cardinal	26 June 1967 by Paul VI
Rank	Cardinal Priest
Personal details
Born	(1921-09-10)10 September 1921 Berlin, Prussia German Reich
Died	13 December 1979(1979-12-13) (aged 58) East Berlin, East Germany
Buried	St. Hedwig's Cathedral
Nationality	German
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Coat of arms

Styles of Alfred Bengsch
Reference style	His Eminence
Spoken style	Your Eminence
Informal style	Cardinal
See	Berlin

Biography

Alfred Bengsch was born in Berlin, and his father Leo was a postal worker. Entering a Jesuit gymnasium in 1932, he later attended the Superior School of Philosophy and Theology in Fulda, and the seminary in Neuzelle. During World War II, Bengsch was drafted by the German Army; in the course of his service, he was wounded and captured by the United States Army in August 1944.

He was eventually ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Konrad von Preysing on April 2, 1950. Bengsch then did pastoral work in Berlin until 1954, when he began teaching at the seminary in Erfurt, of which he was named regent on April 1, 1959. From 1956 to 1959, he also served as a professor at Neuzelle's seminary.

On May 2, 1959, Bengsch was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Berlin and Titular Bishop of Tubia. He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 11 from Cardinal Julius Döpfner. Bengsch succeeded Döpfner as Bishop of Berlin on August 16, 1961, three days after the erection of the Berlin Wall. During his tenure in Berlin, he was given a monthly permission to cross the Wall to minister to the Eastern portion of his flock.[1] The German prelate was granted the personal title of "Archbishop" on January 14, 1962, and participated in the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965).

Viewed as a conservative, Bengsch did not involve himself in political affairs.[1] He was created Cardinal-Priest of S. Filippo Neri in Eurosia by Pope Paul VI in the consistory of June 26, 1967. As Bengsch was the first East German to receive the red hat, this was seen as an act to better the Church's relations with East Germany.[1] He was also the youngest prelate to be elevated at the ceremony.[2] Berlin's bishop was one of the cardinal electors in the conclaves of August and October 1978.

Bengsch died in Berlin at age 58, and was buried at St. Hedwig's Cathedral.

References

1. TIME Magazine. Milestones December 24, 1979
2. TIME Magazine. The Fine Papal Art Of Creating New Cardinals June 9, 1967

External links

• Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church
• Catholic-Hierarchy ^{[self-published]}

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Julius Döpfner	Bishop of Berlin 1961–1979	Succeeded by Joachim Meisner
New title New Creation	Chairman of the Berlin Conference of Catholic Bishops 1976–1979	Succeeded by Gerhard Schaffran