His Eminence Theodor Innitzer |
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Cardinal, Archbishop of Vienna | |
Archdiocese | Vienna |
See | Vienna |
Appointed | 19 September 1932 |
Installed | 16 October 1932 |
Term ended | 9 October 1955 |
Predecessor | Friedrich Gustav Piffl |
Successor | Franz König |
Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of San Crisogono |
Orders | |
Ordination | 25 July 1902 |
Consecration | 16 October 1932 by Enrico Sibilia |
Created Cardinal | 13 March 1933 |
Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
Personal details | |
Born |
Neugeschrei-Weipert |
25 December 1875
Died | 9 December 1955 | (aged 79)
Denomination | Roman Catholic |
Coat of arms |
Styles of Theodor Innitzer |
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Reference style | His Eminence |
Spoken style | Your Eminence |
Informal style | Cardinal |
See | Vienna |
Theodor Innitzer (25 December 1875 – 9 October 1955) was Archbishop of Vienna and a cardinal in the Latin Rite branch of the Catholic Church.
Innitzer was born in Neugeschrei (Nové Zvolání), close to Weipert (Vejprty), Bohemia, Austria-Hungary (today Czech Republic). He was the son of a factory worker and, after completing the minimum mandatory school, became an apprentice in a textile factory. The dean of his home parish supported the young Theodor, which allowed him to attend a gymnasium (1890–1892 Communal-Gymnasium, 1892–1898 Staatsgymnasium in Kaaden.
Innitzer's role in early 20th century Austrian history remains disputed, because of his involvement in politics. After initially offering support to the Anschluss, Innitzer became a critic of the Nazis and was subject to violent intimidation from them.
This assessment stems from his cooperation with the Austro-fascist government of Engelbert Dollfuß and Kurt Schuschnigg from 1934 to 1938, which based many of its economic and social policies on the teachings of the Catholic Church. He and the other Austrian Catholic bishops signed a declaration endorsing the Anschluss, set up by Gauleiter Josef Bürckel, and signed by Innitzer with “Heil Hitler!”. Without the bishops' consent the Nazi regime disseminated this statement throughout the German Reich. Upon hearing of this act, Pope Pius XI ordered Cardinal Innitzer to sign a clarification, which was then published in L'Osservatore Romano.