Franz Scholz

Franz Scholz, priest and professor of theology, (1909-1998), was born in Breslau, Silesia, Germany. He studied at Breslau's Catholic St. Matthias Gymnasium, then Caritas Science at Freiburg in Breisgau. He studied the Polish language at Krakow and Lublin. In 1934 he became a priest and took up a position as chaplain at Cross Church Breslau. In this office Schulz attended to the Polish seasonal workers in the Silesian capital city. After receiving his doctorate he went to Goerlitz St. Bonifacius Church. The eastern part of the city of Goerlitz was in 1945 split off, when the Polish-German border was redrawn, became known as Zgorzelic. Because of his knowledge of Polish Schulz was able to remain in Zgorzelic, but he chose to leave in 1946, when Germans remaining in the city were forced to take on Polish citizenship.

Scholz made it to nearby Cottbus. When this became part of the German Democratic Republic in 1949 he went to West Germany. Scholz taught many classes dealing with morals and theology and he received many honors, including Papal Honorary Titles.

He was a theologian with many years of practical experience with parishioners and inmates and had experience with Polish life and people as well.

Professor Scholz left a large volume of written material. He especially expressed his opposition to the beatification of Primate of Poland Cardinal August Hlond.