SCHMIDLIN, JOSEPH

SCHMIDLIN, JOSEPH. – Missionary scholar, b. at Kleinlandau (Alsace) on 29 March 1876, d. in the concentration camp of Schirmeck in 1943. Ordained priest in 1899, from 1914 to 1937 he was full professor of ecclesiastical history and missionary science at the University of Münster in V.
Under the influence of Fr. R. STREIT, KARL (v.) O.M.I. and Fr. Friedrich Schwager S.V.D., he entered the field of missionary science. He was director of the *Zeitschrift für Missionswissenschaft*, with a brief interruption, from 1911 to 1937. He wrote: *Einführung in die Missionswissenschaft* (2nd ed., Münster 1925); *Katholische Missionslehre im Grundriss* (2nd ed., vii 1923); *Katholische Missionsgeschichte* (Steyl 1925), translated into Italian by Fr. G. B. Tragella (3 vols., Milan 1927–30); and *Das gegenwärtige Heidenapostolat im Fernen Osten* (2 vols., Münster 1928). He was also active as director of the scientific commission of the International Institute for Scientific-Missionary Research. With the Institute’s support, it was possible to publish the volumes of Fr. R. Streit’s *Biblioteca Missionum*, the collections *Missionswissenschaftliche Abhandlungen und Texte* (14 vols.) and *Missionswissenschaftliche Studien* (7 vols.), subsidize several research trips, and organize academic missionary congresses up to 1932. He may be considered a co-founder of missionary science. He also produced the *Papstgeschichte der neuesten Zeit* (4 vols., Munich 1933–39; French trans. of the first volume in two tomes by L. Marchal, revised by L. Cristiani, Lyons 1938–40), covering the period from Pius VII to Pius XI and intended as a continuation of Pastor’s *History of the Popes*.