Dr. Rochus Kohlbach

After completing his theological training in Graz, Rochus Kohlbach was ordained a priest in 1917. He then worked as a pastor in the Styrian towns of Weiz, Leoben and Eibiswald. In 1927, he obtained his doctorate in theology and completed additional journalistic training with Friedrich Funder in Vienna.

He was a co-founder of the student fraternity Norica Graz, which was founded on 26 May 1930. He makes a name for himself as a writer and journalist, publishes novellas, plays and art guides and becomes a staff member at the Grazer Volksblatt, which he heads as editor-in-chief from 1930-1938. The diocese of Graz then appointed him curator of the diocesan museum in 1938, but he was only able to hold this position for a short time, as his journalistic work made him enemies with the National Socialists due to his criticism of their policies.

After the Anschluss, he was removed from this position and transferred to the Mauthausen concentration camp for three months. After his release, he worked as a pastor in Autal near Graz and St. Martin am Wöllmißberg.