Theodor Innitzer (25 December 1875 – 9 October 1955) was Archbishop of Vienna and a cardinal of the Catholic Church.
Early life
Innitzer was born in Neugeschrei (Nové Zvolání), part of the town
Vejprty (Vejprty) in
Bohemia, at that time
Austria-Hungary, (now
Czech Republic). He was the son of a
Passementerie Wilhelm Innitzer in Vejprty, later a textile factory worker, and his wife Maria born Seidl, daughter of a mining clerk.
[ Baptismal matrix of Vejprty] After completing the minimum mandatory school, Innitzer became an apprentice in a
Textile industry. The dean of his home parish supported young Theodor, thus paving the way for him to attend higher schools (
Gymnasium) in Kaaden.
Ecclesiastical career
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1898 – entered the seminary in Vienna
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1902 – priestly ordination
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1906 – doctorate in theology
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1908 to 1911 Privatdozent at the University of Vienna
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1911 to 1932 professor and (from 1913) chair for New Testament Exegesis
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1928 to 1929 rector of the University of Vienna
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1929 to 1930 Minister of Social Affairs in the third government of Chancellor Johann Schober
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1932 consecrated archbishop of Vienna
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1933 named a cardinal
Political activity and assessment
The Anschluss
Innitzer's role in early 20th century Austrian history remains disputed because of his involvement in politics. Despite early support for the
Anschluss,
Innitzer became a critic of
Nazism and was subject to further violent intimidation.
This assessment stems from his cooperation with the Austrofascism 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 Nazi Germany.
Vatican Radio had recently broadcast a vehement denunciation of the Nazi action, and Cardinal Pacelli (soon to become Pope Pius XII) ordered Innitzer to report to the Holy See. Before meeting with Pius XI, Innitzer met with Pacelli, who had been outraged by Innitzer's statement. He made it clear that Innitzer needed to retract and was made to sign a new statement, issued on behalf of all the Austrian bishops, which asserted that "the solemn declaration of the Austrian bishops ... was clearly not intended to be an approval of something that was not and is not compatible with God's law." The Vatican newspaper also reported that the bishops' earlier statement had been issued without the approval of the Holy See.
Nazi intimidation
In April 1938, in honour of Hitler's birthday, Cardinal Innitzer had ordered that all Austrian churches fly the swastika flag, ring bells, and pray for Hitler. Innitzer also called a day of prayer in the
Stephansdom of Vienna for 7 October 1938, which was attended by almost 9,000 people, mostly young people. In the sermon, Innitzer declared that "we must confess our faith in our Führer, for there is just one Führer: Jesus Christ." Nazi leaders were angered: about 100
Nazi Party, among them many older members of the
Hitler Youth, ransacked the archbishop's residence the next day.
In Britain, the
Catholic Herald provided the following contemporary account on 14 October 1938:
World War II
Innitzer's ambiguous relationship with the Nazi regime brought him a lot of criticism after World War II (he was referred to as the "Heil Hitler Cardinal").
During the war, Innitzer was critical of the
Antisemitism and racist policies of the Nazis towards the Austrian Jews and the Catholic
Romani people of the Austrian countryside.
He openly, though moderately, supported the war effort against the Soviet Union, however. Years before, he had campaigned against Soviet policies. In 1933, based on data collected by undercover investigation and photographs, Innitzer sought to raise awareness in the West of the Holodomor and even cases of cannibalism that were occurring in Ukraine and the North Caucasus at that time.[ Starvation & Surplus, TIME Magazine, 22 January 1934]
In October 1944, Innitzer preached in the parish of Vienna-Reindorf, which also included members of the NSDAP local group who listened and wrote a report about it. They reported that Innitzer attributed the war to God directly; he saw it as a punishment for lukewarm participation in church life: children not receiving Communion, absolution in confession, or religious instruction at school. Seminaries were closing, and only one sixth of Catholics attended Holy Mass. The report understood this as indirect criticism of the National Socialist government, since their measures had suppressed the church's influence.
Writings
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John the Baptist. Illustrated according to the scriptures and tradition by Theodor Innitzer. Mayer, Vienna 1908.
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Commentary on the Gospel of Healing Luke, excluding the story of suffering. (Revised by Franz Xaver Pölzl. 2nd edition, especially by Theodor Innitzer.) Graz u. Vienna 1912.
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Court Councilor Dr. Ms. X. Pölzl. Styria, Graz 1915.
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Commentary on the Gospel of St. Mark, excluding the history of suffering. (Founded by Franz Xaver Pölzl. 3rd revised edition, especially by Theodor Innitzer.) Graz u. Vienna 1916.
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Brief commentary on the Four Holy Gospels. (Founded by Franz Xaver Poelzl continued by Theodor Innitzer. 4 verb. Edition) Graz 1928.
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The Religion of the Earth in detail. (Together with Fritz Wilke.) Leipzig u. Vienna 1929.
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The Holy Year and Peace. In: Hermann Hoffmann: The Church and Peace. 1,933th
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He is risen! Pictures by Josef von Führich. Statement by Theodor Innitzer. Bernina, Vienna 1949.
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Letter of Faith. Herder, Vienna 1939–40
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"What are we doing ourselves?" Cardinal Archbishop Theodor Innitzer u. Archbishop coadjutor Franz Jachym call for help for young families. Catholic family work of the Archdiocese of Vienna, Vienna 1951.
Kardinal Innitzer Prize
The Archdiocese of Vienna annually awards the Kardinal-Innitzer-Preis to scientists and scholars.
Cultural references
In the 1963 movie
The Cardinal, Innitzer was played by
Josef Meinrad. The film portrays the Anschluss, the bishops' statement, and Nazis looting Innitzer's residence.
See also
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List of Austrians
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List of Austrian Politicians
External links
