Region Lanškrounsko

Gustav Piffl was born on 15th October 1864 in Lanškroun. Gustav was seventh child in family of bookbinder, bookseller and merchant – Rudolf Piffl. His mother – Maria Magdalena – born Piro, died when he was 4 years old.

In 1874, he became student of grammar school of Lanškroun. However he had good results, he interrupted his studies twice to start to work; for the first time as bookbinder and for the second time as bookseller. At the end of holidays he regretted it and he returned to school. In 1882, at grammar school in Lanškroun, he took a school-leaving examination with distinction. Then he served for one year as a volunteer in the army and at the same time he inscribed to Faculty of Arts at University in Vienna.

In 1883, he entered a monastery (Augustiner – Chorherrenstift in Klosterneuburg – town approximately 12 km distant from center of Vienna in north-west direction). Here he took order name Friedrich and studied in philosophical-theological monastery seminar. In 1888, after finishing these studies he was ordained as a priest in Vienna. Then he became preacher in Klosterneuburg and simultaneously he continued in theological studies at University in Vienna.

Since 1889, he has been chaplain in nearby Florisdorf and till 1892 in Vienna–Heiligenstadt. There, he familiarized with social problems of labor. He wanted to eliminate these problems so he worked in several charitable associations and founded newspapers “Zeitung für Stadt und Land” and gradually he became Christian crusader for solution of laborer social matter. In 1893, he taught ethics and sociology at theological monastery seminar in Klosterneuburg. In 1894-95 he studied Thomism in Rome.

He showed his many-sided competence as custodian of Klosterneuburg monastery property in Hungary (1902) as well as director of its office (1906). In 1907, he was unanimously elected provost of Klosterneuburg monastery. There, he successfully supported science and art and paid attention to its further building. Successor František Ferdinand d´Este with his wife Sofia were regular guests of this monastery. (Both of them were shot on the eve of WWI. in Sarajevo.) His capability and likeable behavior among Catholic community gradually get Piffl among leading personalities of Vienna archdiocese.

In 1913, archbishop of Vienna cardinal Nagl suddenly died and emperor Franz Joseph (at the recommendation of František Ferdinand d´Este) nominated G. Piffl at the place of archbishop of Vienna and at the same time he gave him a princely title. After accord of pope, G. Piffl get bishop ordination in monastery church in Klosterneuburg. Then he became archbishop and only in 1913 he get doctorate honoris causa of theology from University in Vienna. In 1914, archbishop Piffl was rose to the state of cardinal. On 28th June 1914, approximately one month before assassination in Sarajevo, his supporter František Ferdinand d´Este (representing emperor) gave him cardinal biretta.

During WWI. cardinal Piffl supported monarchy. That is why he was lashed out by social democrats after collapse of Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Even thought he showed sense of political reality and the same day when (in 1918) provisional Austrian National Assembly declared Austrian Republic he called on Austrian Catholics to unconditional fidelity to new state and he surrendered his princely title (Fürstentitel) himself. He promoted loyal attitude to young republic among catholic clergy as well. After WWI., he was intensively engaged in charity. He succeeded in organizing of stay in sanatoriums in Switzerland and Holland for thousands of enfeebled Austrian children. He also supported catholic associations, he contributed to formation of several magazines and to building of several new churches. In 1922, in addition to post of archbishop of Vienna he held a function of apostolic administrator of Austrian federal state – Burgenland.

Cardinal Piffl was very calm person, he had strong will and was very diligent. He was also sought-after as a preacher (also thanks to his strong voice).

In 1930, he had the first heart attack. He served his diocese till his sudden death on 21st April 1932. At his desire, he was buried on the lonely cemetery near summer residence of Vienna archbishops in Kranichberg. However, ground water level on the cemetery rose up and that is why he was transported to newly established episcopal crypt in St. Stephan’s Dome in Vienna (in 1954).