Pacelli sends Gasparri a recommendation that Fr. Bernhard Stempfle be named the ecclesiastical affairs consultant and press agent for the newly planned German Embassy to the Vatican - Dec. 20, 1919
Source: Timeline
Dec. 20, 1919 Pacelli sends Gasparri a recommendation that Fr. Bernhard Stempfle be named the ecclesiastical affairs consultant and press agent for the newly planned German Embassy to the Vatican.
English translation of report, Italian original at www.Pacelli-Edition.de, Document No. 985.Stempfle was not named to this position, and became instead publicist and organizer for the Einwohnerwehr, the Bavarian paramilitary force that played a central role in the Kahr putch of March 1920.
Dec. 20, 1919 Pacelli to Gasparri:
Re: Concerning an ecclesiastical consultant in the German Embassy being established at the Holy See
Most Reverend Eminence:
I was able to read a letter that the German Ambassador to Bern, Dr. Adolf Müller, recently sent to the Editor-in-Chief of the “Bayerischen Kurier.” In it the aforesaid Ambassador says he understands that once the German Embassy to the Vatican is created (a matter that, according to him, is delayed by a divergence of views between Mr. von Bergen and the Government in Berlin concerning the budget for the Ambassador), thought will be given to establishing a special office at the aforementioned Embassy to handle the press. Mr. Müller is turning to the Editor-in-Chief of the Bavarian Catholic daily paper and with a great sense of opportuneness is giving him to think it would be convenient that this office be occupied by a person who is not only expert in ecclesiastical matters, but also in favor with the Holy See, and he asks for a name.
The aforesaid journalist and other persons as well would put forward the name of Prof. Father B.R. Stempfle and would believe it opportune that he assume also the office of ecclesiastical consultant to the Embassy. Father Stempfle would be known in the Vatican, having worked a great deal in the Vatican Archives.
I believed it my duty to report the above to Your Most Reverend Eminence for your information.
Humbly bowing to kiss the Sacred Purple, with sentiments of most profound veneration, I have the honor to confirm myself
Your Most Reverend Eminence’s
Most Humble, Most Devoted, Most Obliged Servant
+Eugenio Archbishop of Sardis
Apostolic Nuncio
Source: S.RR.SS., AA.EE.SS., Germania, 1919-1921, pos. 1698, fasc. 890, fol. 4rv, reprinted at www.Pacelli-Edition.de, Document No. 985.