Due to his illegitimate birth and some say also opposition from German cardinals, he never became a cardinal.

Theodwin was the only German cardinal of his era.

There was a German cardinal in the Vatican back then, chap named Mansdorf-odd, isn't it?

He told of a recent conversation with a German Cardinal bemoaning West Germany's expected loss of population by the year 2000.

For the German cardinal (1911-2010), see Paul Mayer.

"Well, this great German cardinal, whatever his name was, was one; and the other was John MacHale."

The German cardinal wouldn't submit.

April 30 - Paul Mayer, 98, German Cardinal.

Joachim Meisner (born 25 December 1933) is a German cardinal of the Catholic Church.

June 30 - Georg Sterzinsky, 75, German cardinal.