Joseph Maria von Thun and Hohenstein

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Joseph Maria Graf von Thun and Hohenstein (* May 24, 1713 in Trient ; † June 15, 1763 in Mattighofen ) was Bishop of Gurk and Prince-Bishop of Passau .

Life

Joseph Maria was born as the son of Joseph Johann Graf von Thun and his wife Margareta Veronika, a born Countess von Thun. At the age of 16 he received the canonical of Salzburg in 1739 , and that of Passau two years later, as well as the provost of St. Peter in Augsburg. In 1731 he studied law and theology in Salzburg. He then went to Rome as an auditor of the Rota and envoy of the King of Hungary. On October 14, 1741, he was appointed Bishop of Gurk by Empress Maria Theresa , on January 11, 1742, he was confirmed by the Archbishop of Salzburg and on February 18, 1742, after being dispensed, he was given the required canonical age (he was only 29 years old ) consecrated bishop by Benedict XIV .

Prince-Bishop Joseph Maria von Thun and Hohenstein

Due to his function as a Hungarian prominister, he stayed in Rome for a few years, so the diocese of Gurk was appointed a vicar general in the person of Bishop Wenzel von Bukovsky.

In 1740 he had to present the Cardinal Secretary of State on behalf of Maria Theresa with a remonstration against a breve in which the Pope had recognized Charles VII as emperor. Through this diplomatic activity, he fell out of favor with the Pope. In 1744 he left Rome forever.

In the diocese of Gurk he worked as a zealous bishop, in particular he established a seminary in Strasbourg, the first head of which was the Benedictine Gregor Zallwein. In 1753 he also became administrator of the Lavent diocese and Salzburg vicar general for Carinthia.

On November 10, 1761, he was unanimously elected bishop by the cathedral chapter in Passau. He was enthroned there on May 23, 1762. During his brief government, which lasted only 19 months, he tried to improve the school system, including the establishment of a seminary. In 1762 he published the first volume of a translation of the New Testament with annotations. He died on June 15, 1763 during a visitation trip in Mattighofen and is buried in the cathedral crypt in Passau.

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personal data
SURNAME Thun and Hohenstein, Joseph Maria von
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Thun, Joseph Maria Graf von
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Prince-Bishop of Passau
DATE OF BIRTH May 24, 1713
PLACE OF BIRTH Trent
DATE OF DEATH June 15, 1763
Place of death Mattighofen