Kopfel, Wolfgang

KOPFEL, WOLFGANG. - Protestant theologian and reformer, b. at Hagenau in Alsace in 1478, d. at Strasbourg on 4 Nov. 1541. He studied at the Universities of Ingolstadt (1505) and of Freiburg im Breisgau, where he obtained the licentiate in theology in 1511 and the doctorate in canon law after 1520. From 1512 he exercised the office of preacher in Bruchsal (diocese of Speyer) and then in Basel, where he was also professor of theology and where he met Erasmus and Zwingli, becoming a propagator of Luther's first writings.

His inner evolution toward the new doctrines was in full course when in 1520 he entered the service of the archbishop elector of Mainz, Albert of Brandenburg, as court preacher and chancellor. He thus influenced the attitude of the cardinal, still undecided with regard to the reformers, and then, clarifying his position in 1523, he withdrew from the court, taking possession of the provostship of St. Thomas in Strasbourg, which he had obtained from Leo X in 1521. This was the center of his reforming activity in the city and in the region. Subsequently he had at Bucer's side an important part in the introduction of the Protestant reform in Switzerland (disputation of Bern in 1528, Synods of Bern of 1532 and 1537), in the negotiations between the Swiss innovators and the theologians of Wittenberg, and he took part with the Protestant leaders in various diets of the Empire, especially that of Augsburg in 1530 (K. is one of the authors of the Confessio tetrapolitana) and that of Regensburg in 1541. Intolerant toward Catholics, he showed himself very tolerant and conciliatory toward the different Protestant currents, lending himself by his elastic character to the most varied negotiations. His work was more in reforming and diplomatic action than in writings, which are distinguished into Latin writings, German pamphlets and letters.