BLUM, PETER JOSEPH. – Bishop of Limburg, b. at Gelsenheim on 18 Apr. 1808, d. at Limburg on 30 Dec. 1884. He studied philosophy at Würzburg and theology at Bonn, then entered the seminary of Limburg, where he was ordained priest on 17 May 1832. On 26 Jan. 1842 he was elected Bishop of Limburg. He devoted himself with great zeal to the diocese, establishing schools, institutes, and boarding schools, and securing greater freedom for the exercise of worship. Coming into conflict with the president of the province of Hesse-Nassau over the issue of appointments to vacant parishes, he was asked to resign. He refused but was forced to flee to Bohemia; he was able to return to Limburg only on 19 Dec. 1883 by virtue of a royal decree.
BIBL.: M. Höhler, Geschichte des Bistums Limburg mit besonderer Rücksichtnahme auf das Leben und Wirken des dritten Bischofs P. J. B., Limburg 1908, pp. 141-378; F. Lauchert, s. V. in LTHK, II, cols. 400.