Josef Cardinal Frings

Josef Frings (6 February 1887 – 17 December 1978), previously also known as Joseph Richard Frings was appointed Archbishop of Köln on 1 May 1942, and was elevated to Cardinal on 18 February, 1946. He retired on the 10 February 1969.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Josef Cardinal Frings proclaimed that stealing coal from the railroad to keep your family warm was not a mortal sin, and that stealing food from those that had plenty in order to keep your family from starving would also be overlooked as a mortal sin.

He was a representative present at the Second Vatican Council, where he insultingly criticized the Holy Office (once known as the Inquisition). Acting as Fring's theological consultant at the council was Josef Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI.