NEUDECKER, SIGISMUND. - Franciscan theologian, b. 21 Oct. 1664 at Geisenhausen (southern Bavaria), d. at Munich on 3 Sept. 1736.
He taught philosophy, theology, and canon law; he was three times custos and three times provincial (1714–17, 1723–26, 1732–35); he also visited the provinces of Austria (1708) and Bohemia (1710). A man of great learning and activity, he contributed greatly to the development of his Order in Bavaria, founding 10 new convents and codifying the rules for the education of young religious (Statutes, 1717). His Schola religiosa was published posthumously in 2 vols. (Munich, 1738). He also promoted foreign missions and the Third Order: he sent a mission to Transylvania and Bulgaria (1724), established orphanages, and in various convents founded the Liebsbund in imitation of the Italian Monti di pietà.
BIBLI: F. Minges, Gesch. der Franzisbauer in Bayern, Munich 1896, p. 120 ff.; A. Zellner, S. N. Geistesschule für Ordensleute, ibid. 1904; B. Lins, Gesch. der bayer. Franzisbaergeweiz von 1620-1632, ibid. 1926, pp. 101 ff., 120, 124. Guglielmo Forster