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Converts around 1800: They became Catholic because they needed the money

2021-03-01T08:46:26.356Z


Faith promised support for many German intellectuals in the troubled times of the Napoleonic Wars. But the church also lured people with decidedly secular incentives.


Icon: enlarge

Tamed: The theoretical fiery head Friedrich Schlegel turned into a pious supporter of the Restoration (painting by Delphine de Custine, 1816)

Photo: akg images

The ceremony took place in secret.

Not even the closest relatives were informed.

When Friedrich Schlegel and his wife Dorothea broke away from Protestantism in Cologne on April 16, 1808, only three Catholic clergymen and the church master were present.

The couple stepped in front of the Mother of God Altar of St. Maria im Pesch and solemnly made the creed.

Both were accepted into the Catholic Church.

The conversion of the famous intellectual and his wife could not be concealed for long.

Only a few days later the Kölner Zeitung carried the sensational report;

Leaves in Paris and Hamburg followed.

Schlegel wanted to spare his old mother in Hanover from the news at all costs.

The Lutheran pastor's widow had no idea.

He asked his brother "to be extremely vigilant about all the newspapers that are in circulation in Hanover and to prevent that one in which the article is repeated does not fall into the hands of his mother."

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Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-03-01

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