Günther Storck

Günther Storck (2 October 1938 – 23 April 1993) was a Catholic priest from Germany who was excommunicated from the Catholic Church. He was consecrated – without permission of Pope John Paul II – a bishop on 30 April 1984, in Etiolles, France, by excommunicated bishop Guerard des Lauriers.

Biography

Early life Storck was born on 2 October 1938 in Borken, North Rhine-Westphalia, as the youngest child of the Storck family, who ran a craft business. The father died early, so that the mother not only had to take charge of the family, but also had to run the business.

Academic career He studied classical philology and German studies at the University of Münster, the Humboldt University of Berlin, and LMU Munich. For his vocation to the priesthood, he returned to Münster, where he started a degree in theology at the seminary (1962). In the meanwhile he passed his state examination in philology, philosophy and theology. He then moved from Münster to Munich (1967), where he continued his studies at the theological and philosophical faculties of LMU Munich. A few years later, he became Research Associate of Leo Scheffczyk. He then moved to Egg in Switzerland for ordination (21 September 1973). The day after he celebrated his First Mass in Damenstiftskirche St. Anna. He did his doctorate in theology with a tripartite graduate thesis on Johann Gottlieb Fichte's Wissenschaftslehre of 1794/95 (first part) and on his Wissenschaftslehre of 1804 (second part); its concluding third part concerns the doctrine of the Trinity.

Death and legacy Storck died of ill health on 23 April 1993 in Munich. On Friday, 30 April 1993, the solemn requiem was held for the deceased in St. Mary's Church, Munich – exactly nine years after his consecration as bishop. On the following Monday, 3 May 1993, the funeral took place at the Munich West Cemetery.

The first review of Storck's thesis appeared 20 years after its publication (see § Secondary literature). Seven additional years later, his teacher in philosophy resumed Storck's application of transcendental philosophy to the Trinity Doctrine, claiming that "the absolute difference between the Godmanhood of Jesus and the pure essence of God should have been worked out": "Godmanhood is not simply the same as the Godhead." Which eventually is confirmed by a revisionist reading of the Islamic view in Quran 5:116–117: "One notices the reference to Matthew 24:36: »Yet no one knows the day or hour when this will be, not the angels in heaven, nor the Son. Only the Father knows.«"