Manfred Melzer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend Manfred Melzer |
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|---|---|
| Auxiliary bishop of Cologne | |
Manfred Melzer, 2014
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| Diocese | Carinola (Titular) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1 February 1972 |
| Consecration | 10 September 1995 |
| Rank | Auxiliary Bishop of Cologne |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 February 1944 Solingen-Ohligs, Germany |
| Died | 9 August 2018 (aged 74) Frechen, Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Motto | Deum Diligendo cognoscere |
| Coat of arms |  |
Manfred Melzer (born February 28, 1944 – died August 9, 2018) was a German bishop in the Roman Catholic Church. He was chosen by Pope Benedict XVI. Bishop Melzer served as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Cologne. He held this important role from 1995 until 2015.
Early Life and Priesthood
Manfred Melzer was born in Solingen-Ohligs, a town in Germany. He studied theology in several cities, including Bonn, Freiburg im Breisgau, and Cologne. Theology is the study of religious faith and practice.
On February 1, 1972, he became a priest. This ceremony was led by Cardinal Joseph Höffner at the Cologne Cathedral. A cardinal is a very high-ranking official in the Catholic Church. Cardinal Höffner was the Archbishop of Cologne at that time. An archbishop is a bishop who leads a large area called an archdiocese.
After becoming a priest, Cardinal Höffner asked Melzer to be his personal secretary. He also became the administrator of the Cologne Cathedral. He stayed in these roles until Cardinal Höffner passed away in 1987.
In 1984, Pope John Paul II gave him the title of Chaplain of His Holiness. This is an honorary title given to priests who have served the Church well. Later, in 1988, he started working as a priest in the towns of Waldbröl and Nümbrecht.
Becoming a Bishop
On June 9, 1995, Pope John Paul II appointed Manfred Melzer as a titular bishop of Carinola in Italy. A titular bishop is a bishop who holds a title to a former diocese that no longer exists. At the same time, he was named an auxiliary bishop in Cologne. An auxiliary bishop helps the main bishop of a diocese.
He was officially made a bishop on September 10, 1995. This ceremony took place in the Cologne Cathedral. The Cologne archbishop, Joachim Meisner, led the ceremony.
As an auxiliary bishop, Melzer was in charge of the central pastoral district of the Cologne archdiocese. This area included the city of Cologne and its surrounding towns. He was also appointed as the bishop's representative for women's religious orders in the archdiocese. In 1998, he was chosen to be a member of the metropolitan chapter. This is a group of priests who advise the archbishop.
Roles and Responsibilities
Bishop Melzer was an active member of the German Bishops' Conference. This is a group where all the bishops in Germany work together. He was part of the commission that deals with pastoral care. Pastoral care means looking after the spiritual needs of people. He also worked on the commission for questions about the world church.
Since 2004, Bishop Melzer led the German Lourdes association. This group helps people visit Lourdes, a famous religious site. He also represented the Archdiocese of Cologne in Misereor eV, a Catholic organization that helps people in need around the world. He also represented the Archbishop in the Cardinal Höffner Society.
In 2006, the German bishops chose him to be the representative for Catholic police officers in Germany. His job was to help with their spiritual well-being.
