Innitzer, Theodor#

b. Vejprty, Czech Republic (then Weipert), Dec. 25, 1875, d. Vienna, Oct. 9, 1955, theologian and clerical dignitary. 1911 appointed university professor of New Testament exegesis, (1928/1929 rector of the University of Vienna), 1929-1930 Federal Minister of Social Administration (improved the situation of people with very low pensions), 1932-1955 archbishop of Vienna, 1933 cardinal. Founded the Museum of the Cathedral and Diocese of Vienna in 1933, known as a supporter of the authoritarian government of E. Dollfuss and K. Schuschnigg. Under pressure from Gauleiter J. Buerckel, I. and the Austrian bishops issued a declaration of loyalty on March 18, 1938, which was abused by the national socialist propaganda machinery. His efforts to protect the Church by making agreements with the national socialist rulers found an immediate end on October 8, 1938, when the Hitler Youth and the Storm Troopers stormed the archbishop's palace. During the national socialist regime I. organised a campaign to help non-Arian Catholics, renewed the Catholic Academy Katholische Akademie, Wiener in 1945; emphasised the participation of lay Catholics in church activities in the post-war period. Since 1962 the "Cardinal Innitzer Study Fund" grants a variety of prizes for the promotion of research.

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