Leopold Ernst von Firmian

Leopold Ernst Graf von Firmian ( born September 22, 1708 Trento, † March 13, 1783 in Passau) was Prince-Bishop of Passau and cardinal. It is considered both as the last " baroque prince " on the Passau bishop's throne, on the other hand also crucial decisions as a spiritual and secular rulers are due to him.

Life

Firmian was already 31 years Bishop of Seckau and was also ten years administrator of Suffraganbistums Trent, in 1763 he took possession ( as it is called canonically ) from the Diocese of Passau, which although no longer as once handed to Hungary at the time, but still almost all of Upper Austria and a part of Lower Austria included.

As an advisor to the Empress Maria Theresa, he was the impetus for school reform from 1769 /74 ( the introduction of compulsory education ). He also taught in Passau, a seminar for training of diocesan priests.

In 1772, he was created a cardinal by Pope Clement XIV and appointed Cardinal Priest of the titular church of San Pietro in Montorio. Unlike today, the number of cardinals at that time was limited to 70, of which, moreover, most of Italian dioceses came. A person may also appreciate the high esteem Firmian in the universal Church.

Also, the church-critical Joseph II paid him in high esteem. With the separation of the Austrian territories from the Diocese of Passau ( through the establishment of bishoprics Linz and St. Pölten ) he waited until Firmian death.

In his secular sphere falls under its aegis the completion of the new residence of Passau, also the reclamation of parts of the Bavarian Forest ( remember, amongst others, now the towns of front -, Mitter and Hinterfirmiansreut ( h) near the Czech border to his work ).

In 1765 he bought back the seven künischen villages, an area around Wollaberg from Austria for 137 787 guilders, which warlike manner fell to the Habsburgs in 1506.

Unlike his cousin Leopold Anton Graf von Firmian in Salzburg he tried to religious tolerance; so he allowed, for example, in 1777 the burial of Protestants in the Catholic cemetery. He also endeavored to the displacement of " superstitious forms of religious life."

Firmian died on March 13, 1783 and was buried in the tomb, Bishop of Passau. As already mentioned, according to Firmian death all Austrian territories were separated from the diocese; 20 years later ended the temporal sovereignty of the Bishops of Passau.