PORSCH, FELIX. - German Catholic politician, b. at Ratibor on 30 Apr. 1853, d. at Breslau on 8 Dec. 1930. A lawyer and counsellor to 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 Reichstag, and from 1884 until his death a member—from 1903 onwards also vice-president—of the Prussian Council.
A convinced Catholic, Porsch exercised great influence in this position on school and religious legislation, particularly meriting recognition for the abolition of the last laws of the so-called *Kulturkampf* (q.v.). As a member of the Central Committee of the Catholic Congresses (*Katholikentage*), he also distinguished himself through his speeches on the "Roman Question," and for his work in the juridical and sociological section of the Görres-Gesellschaft, where he was a member of the presidency for several years.