PORSCH, FELIX. - German Catholic politician, b. at Ratibor on 30 Apr. 1853, d. at Breslavia on 8 Dec. 1930. A lawyer and counsellor of the episcopal consistory, he began his political career under the protection and guidance of Windthorst.
From 1881 to 1898 he was a member of the Imperial Council (Reichstag), and from 1884 until his death a member—after 1903 also vice-president—of the Prussian Council.
A convinced Catholic, P. exercised great influence in this position on school and religious legislation, rendering distinguished service especially through the abolition of the last laws of the so-called « Kulturkampf » (v.). A member of the Central Committee of the Catholic Congresses (Katholikentage), he also distinguished himself by his speeches on the « Roman question » and by his work in the juridical and sociological section of the Görres-Gesellschaft, where for several years he was a member of the presidency.