Stephan Jakob Neher
Encyclopedia
Stephan Jakob Neher was a Church historian. His family were country people of Ebnat (now a part of Aalen
) in Württemberg
, and upon the conclusion of his studies in the gymnasium
Neher devoted himself to the study of theology in the University of Tübingen. After his ordination, he worked as pastor of Dorfmerkingen, then of Tübingen
, and finally of Nordhausen (in the district of Ellwangen
, Württemberg). In addition, Neher devoted himself throughout his life to intellectual pursuits, principally to canon law
and church history, giving his attention, in the latter study, chiefly to the two branch sciences of ecclesiastical geography and ecclesiastical statistics.
In his first considerable work, which appeared in 1861, he deals with the topic of the privileged Altar
(altare privilegiatum). In 1864 he published the first volume of his carefully planned work, Kirchliche Geographie und Statistik, which comprises three volumes (Ratisbon, 1864–68). It was, for that day, an important work for historians. Its author was one of the first in modern times to focus on this branch of church history, collecting with care material often very difficult to procure, and arranging it systematically. His book on the celebration of two Masses by a priest on the same day pertains to canon law, and it bears the title: Die Bination nach ihrer geschichtlichen Entwicklung und nach dem heutigen Recht (Ratisbon, 1874). After 1878 Neher edited the statistical "Personalkatalog" of his own diocese of Rottenburg am Neckar
, and was one of the principal contributors to the second edition of Wetzer und Welte's Kirchenlexicon. For this work he wrote 235 articles, or greater parts of articles. Their content is chiefly matter relating to church history, or to ecclesiastical statistics.
Aalen
Aalen is a city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, about east of Stuttgart and north of Ulm. It is the seat of the Ostalbkreis district, and its largest city, as well as the largest city within the Ostwürttemberg region. In spatial planning, Aalen is designated a Mittelzentrum...
) in Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
, and upon the conclusion of his studies in the gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
Neher devoted himself to the study of theology in the University of Tübingen. After his ordination, he worked as pastor of Dorfmerkingen, then of Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
, and finally of Nordhausen (in the district of Ellwangen
Ellwangen
Ellwangen an der Jagst, officially Ellwangen , in common use simply Ellwangen is a town in the district of Ostalbkreis in the east of Baden-Württemberg in Germany...
, Württemberg). In addition, Neher devoted himself throughout his life to intellectual pursuits, principally to canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
and church history, giving his attention, in the latter study, chiefly to the two branch sciences of ecclesiastical geography and ecclesiastical statistics.
In his first considerable work, which appeared in 1861, he deals with the topic of the privileged Altar
Privileged Altar
A Privileged Altar is an altar in a Roman Catholic church where a plenary indulgence is granted whenever Mass is celebrated there.An example is the Vallarpadam Church in Kerala....
(altare privilegiatum). In 1864 he published the first volume of his carefully planned work, Kirchliche Geographie und Statistik, which comprises three volumes (Ratisbon, 1864–68). It was, for that day, an important work for historians. Its author was one of the first in modern times to focus on this branch of church history, collecting with care material often very difficult to procure, and arranging it systematically. His book on the celebration of two Masses by a priest on the same day pertains to canon law, and it bears the title: Die Bination nach ihrer geschichtlichen Entwicklung und nach dem heutigen Recht (Ratisbon, 1874). After 1878 Neher edited the statistical "Personalkatalog" of his own diocese of Rottenburg am Neckar
Rottenburg am Neckar
Rottenburg am Neckar is a medium-sized town in the administrative district of Tübingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It rests about 50 km southwest of the provincial capital Stuttgart and about 12 km southwest of the district town Tübingen...
, and was one of the principal contributors to the second edition of Wetzer und Welte's Kirchenlexicon. For this work he wrote 235 articles, or greater parts of articles. Their content is chiefly matter relating to church history, or to ecclesiastical statistics.