NEUDECKER, SIGISMUND. - Franciscan theologian, b. 21 Oct. 1664 at Geisenhausen (Lower Bavaria), d. at Munich on 3 Sept. 1736.
He taught philosophy, theology, and canon law; served three times as custos and three times as provincial (1714–17, 1723–26, 1732–33); he also visited the provinces of Austria (1708) and Bohemia (1710). Of great learning and activity, he contributed substantially to the development of his Order in Bavaria by founding ten new convents and codifying norms for the education of young religious (Statutes, 1717). His Schola religiosa appeared 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 instituted the Liebsbund along the model of the Italian Monti di pietà.