Sedevacantism Risk to Salvation, by Canon Lawyer and Theologian Dr. Gregorius (Gregory) Hesse on the position of Sedevacantism based on Canon Law and Church history. Dr. Hesse was born on June 27, 1953…More
Sedevacantism Risk to Salvation, by Canon Lawyer and Theologian
Dr. Gregorius (Gregory) Hesse on the position of Sedevacantism based on Canon Law and Church history.
Dr. Hesse was born on June 27, 1953 in Vienna and studied there at technical and economic institutions, but without an academic degree. He became a working student and worked at the Hoechst paint factory in Frankfurt and at Mercedes-Benz in Sindelfingen. His uncle, Prelate Erwin Hesse, worked from 1946 to 1979 as dean and pastor of the parish of St. Rochus in Vienna. In 1976 Dr. Hesse moved to Rome and enrolled as a candidate for the priesthood at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas. On November 21, 1981 he was ordained a priest at the Cathedra Petri by Archbishop Aurelio Sabattani.
From 1986 to 1988 Dr. Hesse worked in the Curia and was secretary to Cardinal Stickler, then worked in the Vatican Secret Archives until 1991. At the same time, Hesse received his doctorate in theology and canon law from the Angelicum. He completed his doctorate in theology in 1991. His dissertation is entitled "An introduction to the theology of Gilbert Keith Chesterton".
In 1991, following Stickler's retirement, Dr. Hesse returned to Vienna and from then on moved into a private apartment with a private chapel in the Viennese district of Währing, but without being incardinated in the Vienna Archdiocese. According to his own statements, the erosion of faith in Rome following the reforms of the Second Vatican Council was the reason for his departure. The current source situation leaves open the diocese or community in which Hesse was incardinated after 1991. Between 1991 and 2006, Dr. Hesse also developed an active lecturing activity outside of Austria, so that the talented rhetorician became known in the traditional milieu of Germany. His lectures in the USA, which he traversed for several weeks every year, led to increased popularity on the American continent. It can be observed that Hesse's lectures in the German-speaking area are down-to-earth and eloquent, while in the USA they are more intellectual. This circumstance makes it possible to draw conclusions about the level of education of the respective audience.
From 1995 to 2005, Dr. Hesse maintained close contact with the actio spes unica founded by the suspended priest Hans Milch in Hattersheim am Main. In order to defuse his financial situation, Hesse translated English theological literature into German. On various photos and videos, Dr. Hesse is depicted in the choral clothing of a monsignor or as a canon, although he had never officially received this honorary title. Hesse referred to an unspecified privilege of Urban VIII, according to which every priest ordained in St. Peter's Basilica ipso facto receives this honorary title.
Although he was not formally a member of the Society of St. Pius X, Dr. Hesse defended the founding by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and the community's jurisdiction. The history of the Austrian district of the Pius brothers shows that his uncle, Erwin Hesse, had been in contact with Archbishop Lefebvre for a short time in 1974. Dr. Hesse suffered from severe diabetes and died on January 25, 2006 as a result of a stroke in a Vienna hospital. On February 16, 2006 he was buried in the Vienna Central Cemetery.
Dr. Gregorius (Gregory) Hesse on the position of Sedevacantism based on Canon Law and Church history.
Dr. Hesse was born on June 27, 1953 in Vienna and studied there at technical and economic institutions, but without an academic degree. He became a working student and worked at the Hoechst paint factory in Frankfurt and at Mercedes-Benz in Sindelfingen. His uncle, Prelate Erwin Hesse, worked from 1946 to 1979 as dean and pastor of the parish of St. Rochus in Vienna. In 1976 Dr. Hesse moved to Rome and enrolled as a candidate for the priesthood at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas. On November 21, 1981 he was ordained a priest at the Cathedra Petri by Archbishop Aurelio Sabattani.
From 1986 to 1988 Dr. Hesse worked in the Curia and was secretary to Cardinal Stickler, then worked in the Vatican Secret Archives until 1991. At the same time, Hesse received his doctorate in theology and canon law from the Angelicum. He completed his doctorate in theology in 1991. His dissertation is entitled "An introduction to the theology of Gilbert Keith Chesterton".
In 1991, following Stickler's retirement, Dr. Hesse returned to Vienna and from then on moved into a private apartment with a private chapel in the Viennese district of Währing, but without being incardinated in the Vienna Archdiocese. According to his own statements, the erosion of faith in Rome following the reforms of the Second Vatican Council was the reason for his departure. The current source situation leaves open the diocese or community in which Hesse was incardinated after 1991. Between 1991 and 2006, Dr. Hesse also developed an active lecturing activity outside of Austria, so that the talented rhetorician became known in the traditional milieu of Germany. His lectures in the USA, which he traversed for several weeks every year, led to increased popularity on the American continent. It can be observed that Hesse's lectures in the German-speaking area are down-to-earth and eloquent, while in the USA they are more intellectual. This circumstance makes it possible to draw conclusions about the level of education of the respective audience.
From 1995 to 2005, Dr. Hesse maintained close contact with the actio spes unica founded by the suspended priest Hans Milch in Hattersheim am Main. In order to defuse his financial situation, Hesse translated English theological literature into German. On various photos and videos, Dr. Hesse is depicted in the choral clothing of a monsignor or as a canon, although he had never officially received this honorary title. Hesse referred to an unspecified privilege of Urban VIII, according to which every priest ordained in St. Peter's Basilica ipso facto receives this honorary title.
Although he was not formally a member of the Society of St. Pius X, Dr. Hesse defended the founding by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and the community's jurisdiction. The history of the Austrian district of the Pius brothers shows that his uncle, Erwin Hesse, had been in contact with Archbishop Lefebvre for a short time in 1974. Dr. Hesse suffered from severe diabetes and died on January 25, 2006 as a result of a stroke in a Vienna hospital. On February 16, 2006 he was buried in the Vienna Central Cemetery.