Abt Wolfgang Joner von Kappel (1471-1531)

Ein reformatorischer Praktiker

Abstract

This article explores the group of the so-called reformation practitioners, by which the author proposes to understand clergy (1) of local or regional significance who participated in the Reformation (2) not just for reasons of opportunity, but of actual agreement, but whose participation in the Reformation (3) is less visible by their own theological writings but by their involvement in processes of preparing and implementing actual church reforms. This topic is developed by a reassessment of Wolfgang Joner, Abbot of the Cistercian House of Kappel. An important representative of the rural clergy, he became an active supporter of Zwingli from a relatively early point of time. Exercising his influence on female convince, parishes, and participating in most of the important reform committees appointed by the Zurich magistrate, Abbott Wolfgang became a key factor in the preparation and implementation of Zurich’s reformation.