Heinrich Wangnereck

Heinrich Wangnereck
Chancellor of the University of Dillingen
In office c. 1620–1664
Personal details
Born	1 July 1595 Munich, Duchy of Bavaria
Died	11 November 1664 (aged 69) Dillingen an der Donau, Duchy of Bavaria
Occupation	Theologian, preacher, author

Heinrich Wangnereck (July 1595 – 11 November 1664) was a German Jesuit theologian, preacher, and author, recognized for his contributions to Catholic theology and his role in ecclesiastical education during the 17th century.

Early life

Born in Munich, Wangnereck entered the novitiate of the Upper German Province of the Society of Jesus in Landsberg at the age of sixteen. Following the standard Jesuit formation, he also taught at the gymnasium level during his early years in the order.

Academic career

Wangnereck served as a professor of philosophy and theology at the University of Dillingen, where he held the position of chancellor for approximately twenty-four years. His tenure was marked by significant contributions to theological education and active engagement in preaching.

Later life and death

In 1655, Wangnereck was appointed superior and missioner in Lindau, a position he held for five years before returning to the University of Dillingen to resume his role as chancellor until his death on 11 November 1664 from a stroke.

Contributions and legacy

Wangnereck authored approximately twenty theological works, addressing various doctrinal and political issues of his time, and his counsel was sought by various secular and ecclesiastical leaders across Germany. He authored approximately twenty works primarily focused on theological subjects. His first publication, “Notae in confessiones S. Augustini,” was released in 1630 and remain popular for many years; a fourth edition was published in 1907. He sometimes used pseudonyms, such as "Ernestus de Eusebiis."

He was also involved in political controversies of his time, which occasionally led to conflicts with authorities. Notably, he faced censure from the Jesuit General for making disrespectful remarks about the Duke of Bavaria.

From the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia

Heinrich Wangnereck — (WAGNERECK).

Theologian, preacher, author, born at Munich in July, 1595; died at Dillingen, 11 November, 1664. The extant sketches of his life give no uniform information respecting the dates of events; it is, however, unanimously stated that when sixteen years old he entered the novitiate of the upper German province of the Society of Jesus, at Landsberg, took the usual course of instruction, and in addition was for a time teacher of the lowest class at the gymnasium. His chief occupation was that of a professor of philosophy and theology at the University of Dillingen, where he was chancellor, according to one statement, for twenty-four years. In addition to teaching, he was also a noted preacher. In 1655 he was sent to Lindau as superior and missioner, but after five years returned to Dillingen where he was chancellor until his death, which followed a sudden stroke of apoplexy at table. It is said that his reputation for learning and ability was so widespread that many secular and spiritual princes, bishops, and prelates of Germany asked his advice in the most important matters. His works, of which twenty are known, are chiefly on theological subjects. He also took part in the political controversies of the period, but not always to the satisfaction of authority, as there is record of a punishment inflicted upon him by the general of the Society because he had spoken disrespectfully of the Duke of Bavaria. His first small work, "Notae in confessiones S. Augustini", published in 1630, has retained its popularity up to the present time; in 1907 a fourth edition of it appeared.

SOMMERVOGEL, Bibl. de la Comp. de Jesus, 979-86; THOLEN, Menologiumoder Lebensbilder aus der Geschichte der deutschen Ordensprovinz (Roermond, 1901), printed for private circulation. A brief sketch of Wangnereck's life is given in the fourth edition of his first treatise on the "Confessions" of St. Augustine, pp. xv-xvi: see also STEINBERGER, Die Jesuiten und die Frieden frage in der Zeil vom Prager Frieden bis zum Nurnberger Friedensexekutionshauptrexess, 1635-1650 in Studien und Darstellungen aus dem Gebiete der Geschichte, ed. GRAUERT, V (1906), 2, 3, which gives a sketch of Wangnereck's political activity.