Viktor Josef Dammertz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Viktor Josef Dammertz, O.S.B. |
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| Bishop of Augsburg | |
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 24 December 1992 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 21 September 1957 |
| Consecration | 30 January 1993 by Friedrich Cardinal Wetter |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Josef Dammertz |
| Born | 8 June 1929 Schaephuysen, Germany |
| Died | 2 March 2020 (aged 90) St. Ottilien Archabbey, Germany |
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| Education | J.C.D. 1960 Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
| Alma mater | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Pontificio Sant'Anselmo |
| Motto | Für euch - mit euch |
| Coat of arms |  |
Viktor Josef Dammertz (born June 8, 1929 – died March 2, 2020) was a German monk. He belonged to the Benedictine order, a group of Christian monks. He lived at St. Ottilien Archabbey in Bavaria, Germany.
He became a very important leader for Benedictine monks around the world. From 1977 to 1992, he was the sixth Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation. This means he was like the main leader for many Benedictine monasteries.
Later, Pope John Paul II chose him to be a Bishop in Augsburg, Germany. He started this role on December 24, 1992, and officially became a bishop on January 30, 1993. He retired from this position on June 9, 2004.
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His Early Life and Education
Josef Dammertz was born in Schaephuysen, Germany, on June 8, 1929. His parents were Wilhelm and Engelina Dammertz. He also had a younger sister named Marga.
He finished high school in 1950. In 1953, he decided to become a monk at St. Ottilien Archabbey. He made his official promise as a monk on September 16, 1954, and was given the name Viktor.
He continued his studies in philosophy and theology. He studied in cities like Münster, Innsbruck, and Rome. On September 21, 1957, he became a Roman Catholic priest.
In 1957, he began studying Canon Law. This is the set of rules and laws for the Catholic Church. He earned a special degree in Canon Law in 1960 from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
Becoming a Leader
From 1960 to 1975, Viktor Dammertz had many important jobs at his abbey. He also traveled for missionary trips. He even attended the Second Vatican Council, a very important meeting for the Catholic Church. He worked there as a secretary.
On January 8, 1975, Dammertz was chosen to be the Archabbot of St. Ottilien Archabbey. He also became the President of the Congregation of Saint Ottilien. In these roles, he traveled all over the world. He visited many monasteries that were part of his group.
On September 22, 1977, he was elected as the sixth Abbot Primate. This made him the worldwide leader of the Benedictine Confederation.
His Time as Abbot Primate
As Abbot Primate, Viktor Dammertz lived in Rome, Italy. He was in charge of a special university there called "Pontificio Ateneo Sant'Anselmo." This university helps train monks and nuns.
The university was having trouble because not enough students were joining. So, Dammertz visited more than 750 monasteries around the world. He encouraged them to send students to the university.
He also helped start an international group for women monastics (nuns). This group is called the ‘’Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum’’ (CIB).
In 1992, Dammertz stepped down from his role as Abbot Primate. After that, Pope John Paul II chose him for a new important job. On December 24, 1992, he was named the next Bishop of the Diocese of Augsburg in Germany.
Bishop of Augsburg
Viktor Dammertz officially became a bishop on January 30, 1993. He was consecrated by Friedrich Cardinal Wetter. Cardinal Wetter was a very high-ranking church leader.
As a bishop, Dammertz held many positions in the German Bishops' Conference. He also worked with various groups in the Vatican. The Vatican is the central government of the Catholic Church.
When he turned 75, as is customary, he offered his resignation. His resignation was accepted on June 8, 2004.
After retiring, he first served as a chaplain for a group of sisters. In 2018, he returned to his home monastery, St. Ottilien Archabbey. He passed away peacefully there on March 7, 2020. Because of his high rank as a bishop, he was buried in the Augsburg Cathedral.
