Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer zu Gleifheim
Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer to Gleifheim (* April 15, 1777 in Bolzano, † December 3, 1860 in Trento ) was from 1835 until his death bishop of Trent, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995.
Life
Childhood and education
From Tschiderer was born the fifth of seven sons of the married couple, Joachim von Tschiderer to Gleifheim and Catherine of Giovanelli Gerst castle and Hörtenberg in Bolzano, where his birthplace still exists today (a relative is a maternal Ignaz von Giovanelli to Gerst castle and Hörtenberg ). After cure of dumbness, he attended the Franciscan school in Bolzano. 1783 the family moved to Innsbruck. He studied there since 1795 and was ordained in Trent on July 27, 1800 as a priest.
Work in the parish and college
After a stay in Rome, he worked first as a cooperator in Unterinn / Renon and in Ultimo. Already at that time was described by Tschiderer as " Almoner of God." In 1807 he was appointed Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology as Trento. In 1810 he became a minister in the Sarn Valley, from 1819 to 1826 he was dean and school superintendent of Tirol Meran. As inspector of schools he founded in the Sarn Valley five field schools; in Bolzano, he promoted a student home, later the Johanneum emerged from the. During this time he made, mostly anonymous, such as the prison population, the unemployed and other needy and sick gifts, for which he had sold his own valuables.
Work in the Diocese of Brixen
From Tschiderer has now been appointed to the Cathedral Chapter and appointed as Pro-Vicar for the German share of the diocese of Trent from Trent Bishop Franz Xaver Luzhin on December 26, 1827. Bernhard Galura, Bishop of Brixen, appointed him Vicar General in 1831 and on February 24, 1832 Auxiliary Bishop of Vorarlberg. The consecration as Titular Bishop of Heliopolis in Augustamnica place on May 20 1832 in Innsbruck. During this time he sat down one particularly for the so-called Swabian children: Tyrolean peasant children who were sent as seasonal workers to Swabia.
Prince-Bishop of Trent
As Bishop Luzhin was transferred in 1834 to Lviv, was nominated by Tschiderer by Emperor Francis I to his successor as Bishop of Trent and Pope Gregory XVI. appointed as such. On 3 May 1835, he took over the Prince-Bishopric solemnly in possession. The apolitical of Tschiderer concentrated on the spiritual tasks in his bilingual diocese, which was in political tension between Austria and Italy. Since the formation of priests it was a central concern, he made himself an opponent of the Josephine reforms immediately because those professors at the seminary who supported josephinischem ideas, to be replaced by men of his confidence. Qualified clergy he sent for further training in the Frintaneum to Vienna or to Germanicum to Rome. He led an annual retreats for the clergy, to whom he maintained a cordial relationship. He also advocated the unity of faith Tyrol. It is stressed his commitment to the training of priests. He founded the Seminary in Borgo and Bolzano and the Johanneum. The uplift of the pastoral care were also the regular visitation of his diocese, and the promotion of the Order ( Jesuits, Redemptorists, priestly community of German Order, Sacred Heart Sisters, and others).
After a long illness Tschiderer died on 3 December 1860 in Trento in odor of sanctity.
Appreciation
Prince the title after he led, against the advice of friends, a life without external pomp, in simplicity and asceticism. Repairs in the Prince-Bishop's apartment, he carried out himself. The worn robe, which is kept in Johanneum, testified his modesty today. The home for deaf-mutes in Trent goes back to his initiative and financial support. From its social openness testifies that he was already teaching classes in his time in the Sarn Valley women and girls in lace-making and as a bishop in Rovereto a home for workers erected. His philanthropy and populism earned him sympathy among the population. In order to promote their education, he managed from its own funds to religious literature. From Tschiderer was also art direction: For many churches and monasteries he founded crosses and statues, vestments, chalices and monstrance or promoted artists.
By the then mayor of Trent Count Benedikt of Giovanelli, such as the saying is narrated: "If there are saints, then Prince-Bishop Tschiderer is one, namely one that makes the virtue lovable. " A successor in the episcopate, Benedict Freiherr von Riccabona, led in 1873 the 122 -year-long process of beatification, at which the German Jesuit and historian, had returned in 1936 at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Josef Grisar the report. Paving the way for the beatification made free the recognition of the 1992 miraculous healing of the 15-year Attilo Lanzinger from Lavis, after his family had been praying a novena to Bishop Tschiderer for the dying. On April 30, 1995, it was beatified by Tschiderer by Pope John Paul II in Trento under participation of 100,000 people.