König, Franz

(1905–2004)

   Archbishop of Vienna from 1956 to 1985, König had served in a number of positions in the Austrian Catholic hierarchy. First a priest (1933), then a professor of moral theology (1949) in Salzburg, he was coadjutant bishop of St. Pölten (1956–1985) in Lower Austria before going to Vienna. He became a cardinal in 1958. During World War II, he was especially active in youth missions.

   Of working class background himself, König believed that his church should encourage pluralistic unity rather than ideological discord in contemporary Austria. A committed ecumenist, he was a moving force behind the calling of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). In 1964, König established the Pro Oriente foundation, through which he developed significant cooperative relationships with Catholic churches behind the Iron Curtain and in Asia. He was chairperson of the organization until 1985. From 1965 to 1980, he also functioned as president of the Vatican office that reached out to unbelievers. His generally flexible approach to other faiths and willingness to engage in dialogue with them did much to repair the reputation for collaboration with authoritarian regimes that the church had acquired during the interwar period.

   König’s policies were especially helpful in smoothing relations between the Catholic establishment and the Socialist Party of Austria (SPÖ), though serious disagreements between the two sides continued to arise. The church vehemently opposed SPÖsponsored legislation in 1973 permitting abortion, at a mother’s request, through the third month of pregnancy. To counter the measure, the church and its allies circulated a petition asking for reconsideration of the policy. Though almost 900,000 people signed it, the National Assembly let the rule stand when the matter came before it in 1976.

   See also Education; Religion; Schönborn, Cardinal Christoph.