About Josef Stangl
Lived 1907 – 1979 (aged 71). Josef Stangl was a German catholic priest and catholic bishop.
Josef Stangl (; 12 August 1907 – 8 April 1979) was a Roman Catholic bishop of Würzburg, Germany.
Born in Kronach, Bavaria, Stangl became a priest on 16 March 1930, and he was appointed by Pope Pius XII as Bishop of Würzburg on 27 June 1957.
He approved the exorcism on Anneliese Michel in 1975 and 1976, ordering total secrecy, "after careful consideration and good information" by Father Arnold Renz. She died of malnutrition from almost a year of semi-starvation while the rites of exorcism were performed.
Stangl consecrated Father Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, as a bishop on 28 May 1977.
On 8 January 1979, Stangl withdrew as a bishop of Würzburg, and died in Schweinfurt in April 1979.
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Important facts
People in Josef Stangl's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Josef Stangl's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Josef Stangl?
German bishop (1907-1979)
When was Josef Stangl born?
Josef Stangl was born on 12 August 1907 in Kronach.
When did Josef Stangl die?
Josef Stangl died on 8 April 1979 in Schweinfurt.
What was Josef Stangl's occupation?
Josef Stangl was a catholic priest and catholic bishop.
What nationality was Josef Stangl?
Josef Stangl was German.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Josef Stangl. https://biography.guide/josef-stangl/
MLA: "Josef Stangl." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/josef-stangl/.
Chicago: "Josef Stangl." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/josef-stangl/.
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