It was under Bishop Albuinus (c. 974–1006), probably in 993, that the residence of the bishop and his episcopal seat were transferred from Säben to Brixen, some twelve miles to the northeast, in the same valley. The episcopal treasury, however, remained in Säben, and the church of the Holy Cross at the monastery of Säben continued to function as a cathedral of the diocese. A new cathedral was established in the church of Ss. Cassius and Ingenuinus in the monastery of the same title in Brixen.[8] Albuin's predecessor, Richbert(us), had also lived at Brixen from time to time, but when he died he was buried with his predecessors in the cathedral of the Holy Cross in Säben.[9]
Synods
The Emperor Henry IV held a synod at Brixen, on 25 June 1080, attended by thirty bishops, including Bishop Altwin of Brixen. The synod accused Pope Gregory VII of sacrilege, perjury, homicide, and other crimes, and deposed him from his papal office.[10] Pope Gregory replied by excommunicating the emperor and all of his supporters, including presumably Bishop Altwin of Brixen, at a synod held in Rome in February 1081.[citation needed]
A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, but important, meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See.[11]
Bishop Bruno von Bullenstetten und Kirchberg (1250–1288) presided over a diocesan synod in Brixen in 1287 or 1288. Bishop Landulfus held a diocesan synod c. 1296.[12] Bishop Johannes Wulfing von Güttingen (1306–1322) held a synod in 1318.[13]
A diocesan synod was held in Brixen by Bishop Christoph von Schrofenstein (1509–1521) in 1511.[14] Bishop Christoph Andreas von Spaur (1601–1613) presided over a diocesan synod in Brixen on 23–26 September 1603.[15]
Bishop Kaspar Ignaz von Künigl zu Ehrenburg (1703–1747) held a diocesan synod in 1710.[16]
Bishop Simon Aichner (1884–1904) held a diocesan synod on 27–31 August 1900.[17]
Seminary
The Council of Trent, in its 23rd session in 1562, decreed that each diocese, to the extent that it was feasible, should have a diocesan seminary for the training of priests.[18] As early as 1567, Archduke Ferdinand II and Cardinal Madruzzo began to draw up plans, but financial difficulties as well as problems with a site for the institution impeded progress. The Salzburg provincial synod of 1569 was encouraging, and again in 1576, but not with financial aid. Madruzzo's coadjutor and successor, Prince-Bishop Johann Thomas von Spaur (1578–1591), kept the plan alive, with the support of the Jesuit Peter Canisius, but still the problem was financial, even with a proposed tax on the Canons. The diocesan seminary of Brixen was finally founded by Bishop Johann Thomas Spaur in 1607, in the Kirchmayr house in the Runggad. It was not until 1764–1767 that the seminary acquired its own building.[19]
In 1779, the cathedral church, dedicated to the taking up (Assumption) of the body of the Virgin Mary into heaven, and to Ss. Cassianus, Ingenuinus, and Albuinus, had a Chapter composed of two dignities and nineteen Canons.[20]
On 29 September 1822, in the bull "Quae Nos Gravissimi", on a petition presented by Count Antal Apponyi, ambassador of the Emperor Francis I to the Holy See, Pope Pius VII granted the emperor the privilege of nominating the bishops of Trent and Brixen. The bull states that this was done with the consent of the Chapters of the two cathedrals (who thereby lost their right to free election of their bishop), as well as of the bishop of Brixen.[21]
On 7 March 1825, Pope Leo XII issued the bull "Ubi Primum", in which he named Salzburg as the metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province, and assigned as suffragans the dioceses of Trent, Brixen, Gurk, Seckau, and Lavant.[22]
Resch(ius), Annales II, pp. 521-524. Brackmann (p. 4) follows Haupt, Kirschengeschichte Deutschlands (III, p. 165), in placing the date before 15 October 967.
Benedictus XIV (1842). "Lib. I. caput secundum. De Synodi Dioecesanae utilitate". Benedicti XIV ... De Synodo dioecesana libri tredecim (in Latin). Vol.Tomus primus. Mechlin: Hanicq. pp.42–49. George Phillips (1849). Die Diöcesansynode (in German). Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder. pp.1–23. John Paul II, Constitutio Apostolica de Synodis Dioecesanis Agendis (March 19, 1997): Acta Apostolicae Sedis 89 (1997), pp. 706-727. (in Latin)
The Council of Trent The Twenty-Third Session The canons and decrees of the sacred and oecumenical Council of Trent, Ed. and trans. J. Waterworth (London: Dolman, 1848), 170-92. "...all cathedral, metropolitan, and other churches greater than these, shall be bound, each according to its means and the extent of the diocese, to maintain, to educate religiously, and to train in ecclesiastical discipline, a certain number of youths of their city and diocese, or, if that number cannot be met with there, of that province, in a college to be chosen by the bishop for this purpose near the said churches, or in some other suitable place."
Bullarii Romani continuatio Tomus Decimus quintus (Roma 1853), p. 573. (in Latin) The pope would impose a time limit, during which the privilege could be exercised.
Alim received two letters from Pope Leo III, one dated 20 April 798, the other dated 11 April 800. Brackmann, Germania pontificia I, p. 141, nos 3 and 4.
Lantfried (Landfried): In 845, the King Louis the German issued a diploma in favor of the Church of Säben. The date of his death is unknown. Sinnacher I, pp. 399-420; 517-519.
On 31 December 892, Arnulf of Carinthia, King of Italy, granted hunting privileges to Bishop Zacharias. In July 900, Bishop Zacharias was one of several bishops who received a letter of complaint from Pope John IX. On 13 September 901, Zacharias and the Church of Säben were taken under the protection of King Ludwig. Sinnacher I, pp. 424-449; 522-526. Brackmann, Germania pontificia I, p. 142, no. 7.
Richbert is first attested at Christmas, 960. A bishop of Brixen, whom Resch identifies as Richbert, attended the Roman synod of Pope John XII in February 962. He was dead on 10 December, in a year before 977. Resch(ius), Annales, pp. 465-524. J.D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XVIII (Venice: A. Zatta 1773), p. 464. Redlich, p. 8-9.
On 24 April 1020, the Emperor Henry II granted Bishop Heriward and the Church of Brixen the abbey of Disent with all of its properties. Brackmann, Germania pontificia I, p. 142, no. 10.
Poppo was a Bavarian. He is first mentioned as Bishop of Brixen on 16 January 1040. He accompanied the Emperor Henry III to his coronation in Rome in 1146. when Pope Clement II died, Henry appointed Poppo as pope. Poppo ruled from 17 July to 9 August 1048, a total of three weeks and two days. J.N.D. Kelly, The Oxford Dictionary of Popes (Oxford 1876), pp. 146-147.
Hugo had been a member of the imperial court, and was a member of the retinue of Henry V. He is mentioned as bishop-elect in a document of the emperor dated 4 July 1111. He was consecrated by Martin Burdinus, Henry's antipope under the name "Gregory VIII". Hugo was deposed in 1125 by the Archbishop of Salzburg, Konrad von Abensberg, after the Emperor Henry's death. Redlich, pp. 40-42, 50. Brackmann, Germania pontificia I, p. 142, no. 11.
Richer had been Scholasticus and Dean of the cathedral Chapter. He served as bishop for four years. He was bishop when the entire town of Brixen was destroyed by fire on Holy Saturday 1174. He built a hospice for pilgrims. He built the church of S. Croce in Insula. He died in 1178. Resch (Reschius), Joseph (1765). Monumenta veteris Ecclesiae Brixinensis (in Latin). Brescia: J. Krapf. pp.45–46. Redlich, p. 51.
Eberhard was already bishop-elect when ordered to return home by Pope Innocent III in May 1198. He served as Bishop of Brixen for four years. He was transferred to the diocese of Salzburg on 20 April 1200. Redlich, p. 52. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, pp. 148 with n. 1; 432 with note 1.
Bruno was Graf von Bullenstetten und Kirchberg (Mooyer, p. 19). He had been a Canon of the cathedral of Magdeburg. He was appointed on 8 November 1250 by Pope Innocent IV. He died on 24 August 1288, the Feast of S. Bartholomew, having ruled for 39 years. Resch(ius), Monumenta, p. 6. Eubel I, p. 148.
Heinrich had been Dean of the cathedral Chapter of Brixen. On the death of Bishop Bruno, the Chapter requested (postulavit) Canon Otto, who was below the canonical age and still not in Holy Orders. But while the request was under consideration by the Holy See, the Chapter proceeded to elect two candidates: Heinrich, the Dean of the Chapter, and Master Bonoincontro, Archpriest of Verona. All three candidates resigned their pretensions, and Pope Nicholas IV chose (provided) Heinrich on 3 December 1290. Ernest Langlois, Les Registres de Nicolas IV Tome I (Paris: Fontemoing 1905), p. 582, no. 3878. Sinnacher V.1, pp. 11-17. Eubel I, p. 148.
Landulf of Milan had been Provost of Worms. He was appointed by Pope Boniface VIII on 30 September 1295. He was killed before 26 March 1301. Eubel I, p. 148 with note 4.
Johannes was transferred to the diocese of Bamberg on 16 June 1322, by Pope John XXII. In 1323, he was transferred to Frising. He died on 25 April 1324 Eubel I, pp. 127, 148, 255.
Konrad was appointed Bishop of Brixen by Pope John XXII on 1 October 1322. On 27 June 1324, he received a dispensation because he had not yet been consecrated a bishop. On 5 July 1324, he was transferred to the diocese of Freising. He died on 8 April 1340. Eubel I, p. 148 with note 6; 255.
Albert had been Provost of Freising and was a subdeacon. He was appointed Bishop of Brixen on the same day that Bishop Konrad was transferred to Freising. He died on 1 November 1336. Eubel I, p. 148.
Lampertus had been Abbot of Gegenbach (Strassburg) and collector of papal revenue. He was named Bishop of Speyer on 14 February 1364. Eubel I, p. 148 note 7; 460 with note 7.
Johann von Lenzburg (Platzheim) had been a Canon of the collegiate church of zovingen (diocese of Konstanz). He had previously been Bishop of Gurk (1359–1364). He died on 6 August 1374. Eubel I, pp. 148, 270 with note 9.
Friedrich had been pastor of the parish church in Grawsthorn (Salzburg), and then was Bishop of Chur (1368–1376). He was appointed Bishop of Brixen by Pope Gregory XI on 2 April 1376, on the recommendation of Leopold, Duke of Austria. Eubel I, pp. 148, 219 with note 13.
Ulrich had been a Canon of the cathedral Chapter of Brixen. He was appointed bishop by Pope Boniface IX on 17 March 1396. He died on 5 May 1417. Eubel I, p. 148.
Berthold had been Provost of the monastery of Neustift (C.R.). He was elected, and provided by Pope Martin V on 11 July 1418. He died on 12 September 1427. Eubel I, p. 148 with note 9.
Rottel (Joannes de Salina) was appointed on 4 January 1444. He died on 28 January (February, according to his epitaph) 1450. Joseph Resch (Reschius) (1765). Monumenta veteris Ecclesiae Brixinensis (in Latin). Brescia: J. Krapf. pp.8, no. 16. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 111.
Gonzaga was named a cardinal by Pope Pius II, on 18 December 1461, and assigned the Deaconry of S. Maria Nova. He was never consecrated a bishop, and thus the Bishopric of Brixen was only a benefice for him. He was appointed Administrator of Mantova on 20 August 1466. He died on 21 October 1483. Eubel II, pp. 14, no. 12; 111; 185 with note 3.
Von Spaur had been a Canon of the cathedral Chapter of Trent. He was granted his bulls on 9 August 1469. He was transferred to the diocese of Vienna (Austria) on 16 December 1471. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 111 with note 1; 268 with note 1.
Von Meckau was named coadjutor bishop of Georg Golser, Prince-Bishop of Brixen, on 20 April 1482, by Pope Sixtus IV. He succeeded to the episcopal throne upon the death of Bishop Golser on 20 June 1489. On 31 May 1503 he was named a cardinal by Pope Alexander VI. He died on 3 March 1509. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 111 with note 2.
Schrofenstein had been coadjutor for Bishop von Meckau. He was appointed on 5 July 1501, and succeeded to the throne on the death of Cardinal von Meckau on 3 March 1509. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica II, p. 111 with note 3.
Sperantius was a Canon and Provost of Brixen. He was elected by the Chapter, and confirmed by Pope Leo X on 1 July 1521. He died on 3 October 1525. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica III, p. 141 with note 3.
Georgius was an illegitimate son of the Emperor Maximilian I. He was only 22 at the time of his appointment by Pope Clement VII, and was therefore only Administrator until he was 27. He was transferred to the archdiocese of Valencia (Spain) on 29 November 1538, by Pope Paul III. Eubel I, p. 141 with notes 4 and 5; 325.
Bernhard was appointed on 21 May 1539 by Pope Paul III. He died two months later, on 30 July of the same year. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica III, p. 141 with note 6.
Fuchs had been a Canon of the cathedral Chapter of Brixen. He was elected by the Chapter on 1 September 1539, and confirmed by Pope Paul III on 29 October 1539. He died on 9 December 1542. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica III, p. 141 with note 7.
Madruzzo was coadjutor of Bishop Fuchs, and Bishop of Trent. He became a cardinal on 2 June 1542. His succession to the diocese of Brixen was confirmed on 11 December 1542 by Paul III. Eubel, Hierarchia catholica III, pp. 28, no. 47; 141 with note 8.
Spaur had been coadjutor bishop with right of succession of Cardinal Madruzzo since 8 June 1565. He succeeded to the episcopal throne automatically on the death of Madruzzo on 5 July 1578. In old age he himself was given a coadjutor bishop, Cardinal Andreas of Austria, on 15 June 1580. Spaur died in 1591. Eubel I, p. 148. Josef Stadlhuber, "Die Tridentinische Priesterbildung unter dem Brixner Fürstbischof Johann Thomas von Spaur (1578—1591),"Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie Vol. 81, No. 3 (1959), pp. 351-368. (in German)
Spaur had previously been Bishop of Gurk (1573–1601). He died on 10 January 1613, Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 121 with note 2. J. Freiseisen, Christoph IV. Andreas Freiherr von Spaur, Bischof von Brixen (1601 — 1613) und das kirchliche Leben in seiner Diöcese, Brixen 1900 (in German).
Born in Tassari (Brixen), Zeno was a doctor of theology, and a Canon, and then Provost, of the cathedral Chapter of Brixen. He died on 24 September 1628. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 121 with note 5.
Welsberg was a Canon of Brixen, and Dean of the cathedral Chapter of Salzburg. He died on 27 March 1641. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 121 with note 6.
Platzgummer was ordained a priest in Rome in 1595. He was a doctor of theology, and Dean of the cathedral Chapter of Brixen. He died on 12 May 1647. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 121 with note 7.
Bishop Sigismund died on 2 February 1677. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 121 with note 9. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 127, note 2.
Born in Sterzing (South Tyrol), Mayr held a doctorate in theology from Pavia (1657). He was a Canon and prebendary of Brixen. He was Vicar Capitular during the vacancy following the death of Bishop Sigmund von Thun. Mayr's election by the Chapter and Canons of Brixen, on 29 April 1677, was confirmed by Pope Innocent XI on 5 September 1678. He died on 27 September 1685. Ritzler-Sefrin V, p. 127 with note 3.
Born at Hall (Brixen) in 1649, von Khuen studied in Rome at the German College, and was then a parish priest of Cluj. He was a Canon with prebend at Passau, and Canon with prebend at Brixen and Frising. He was elected by the Chapter of Brixen on 15 November 1685, and on 28 January 1686 was appointed Administrator of the diocese, but not confirmed by Pope Innocent XI until 12 May 1687. Ritzler-Sefrin V, p. 127 with note 4.
Born in Innsbruck in 1671, von Künigl was elected by the Chapter and Canons of Brixen on 8 June 1702, and named Administrator of the diocese on 29 July 1702; he was confirmed on 14 May 1703 by Pope Clement XI. He died on 24 July 1747. Ritzler-Sefrin V, p. 127 with note 5.
Leopold von Spaur was born in Innsbruck in 1696. He studied at the German College in Rome. He was a Canon, and Dean, of the cathedral Chapter. He was nominated Bishop of Brixen by the Emperor Leopold, elected by the Chapter on 18 October 1747, and confirmed by Pope Benedict XIV on 19 February 1848. The Chapter elected a coadjutor for Bishop Leopold on 23 June 1775. He died on 31 December 1778. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 131 with note 2.
Ignaz von Spaur was born in Innsbruck, the nephew of Bishop Leopold von Spaur, in 1729. He was a Canon of the cathedral of Brixen, and a Canon of Salzburg; he was also Provost of the collegiate church of S. Maria in Ambitu (diocese of Brixen). He was elected as coadjutor of his uncle on 23 June 1775, and named titular bishop of Chrysopolis on 18 December 1775, by Pope Pius VI. He died on 2 March 1779. Ritzler-Sefrin VI, p. 131 with note 3; 164.
Joseph von Spaur was born in Innsbruck in 1718. He was appointed Bishop of Seckau on 6 October 1763. He was transferred to the diocese of Brixen by Pope Pius VI on 20 March 1780, on the nomination of the Emperor Joseph. He died on 26 May 1791. Ritzler-Sefrin VI, p. 131 with note 4; 371 with note 3.
Von Lodron was born in Innsbruck in 1748. He studied at the German College in Rome (1769–1773), and held the degree of doctor of theology. He was a Canon of the cathedral of Brixen, and a state councillor (1774). He was elected Dean of the Chapter in 1786. He was nominated by the Emperor Franz, elected by the Chapter and Canons on 16 August 1791, and confirmed as bishop of Brixen on 27 February 1792 by Pope Pius VI. He died on 10 August 1828. Ritzler-Sefrin VI, p. 131 with note 5.
Born in Herbolzheim im Breisgau in 1764, Galura studied at the General Seminary in Frenburg, and was a doctor of theology; he was appointed Prefect of Studies at the seminary in Frenburg in 1788. He was appointed parish priest in Altoberndorf in 1791, and was appointed priest of the high school in Frenburg. He became preacher, and rector of the Präsezstiftes an der Haupt- und Münsterkirche zu Freiburg im Breisgau. The Emperor Franz I named him titular of the cathedral of Linz in 1797. He was named auxiliary bishop of Brixen and titular bishop of Anthedon (Greece) on 17 December 1819. He was nominated Bishop of Brixen by the Emperor of Austria on 10 April 1829, and approved by Pope Leo XII on 28 September 1829. Gradmann, Johann Jacob (1802). Das gelehrte Schwaben oder Lexicon der jetzt lebenden schwäbischen Schriftsteller (in German). Ravensburg: J.J.Gradmann. pp.164–166. ISBN978-3-487-41149-1. Notizie per l'anno 1834 (Roma: Cracas 1834), p. 86. Helmut Platzgummer, "Bernhard Galura als Gubernalrat in Innsbruck und seine Einstellung zu Kirche und Staat," in: Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie 83 (1961) pp. 443—470. (in German)
Leiss was born in Innsbruck in 1821. He was Dean of the cathedral Chapter of Innsbruck. He was nominated Bishop of Brixen on 16 June 1879, and confirmed by Pope Leo XIII on 27 February 1880. He died on 23 April 1884. Josef Gelmi (1984). Die Brixner Bischöfe in der Geschichte Tirols (in German). Bozen: Athesia. p.243. ISBN978-88-7014-362-1. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, p. 159.
Born in Terento (diocese of Brixen) in 1816, Aichner had been Auxiliary Bishop of Brixen and titular bishop of Sebaste (Cilicia, Turkey) (1882-1884). He resigned in 1904, at the age of 87, and was named titular bishop of Theodoropolis. He died on 1 November 1910. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VIII, pp. 159, 506. Pięta, Hierarchia catholica IX, p. 93.
Moser was born in Bruneck in 1962. From 1987 to 1989 he was an assistant pastor in Dobbiaco. From 1989 to 1991, he was private secretary to Bishop Wilhelm Egger. He studied dogmatic theology in Rome from 1991 to 1995, and then immediately became a lecturer at the Philosophical-Theological University in Brixen to 2002. He became rector at the seminary in Brixen from 1996 to 2012. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Brixen on 28 July 2011, and on 9 October 2011 he was consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Luigi Bressan of Trent. CV of Bishop Muser: Diözese Bozen-Brixen, "Bischof Ivo Muser"; retrieved: 25 June 2020. (in German)
Books
Episcopal lists
Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1913). Hierarchia catholica (in Latin). Vol.Tomus 1 (seconded.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana.
Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1914). Hierarchia catholica (in Latin). Vol.Tomus 2 (seconded.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana.
Eubel, Conradus (ed.); Gulik, Guilelmus (1923). Hierarchia catholica (in Latin). Vol.Tomus 3 (seconded.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana.{{cite book}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
Redlich, Oswald (1884). "Zur Geschichte der Bischöfe von Brixen vom 10. bis in das 12. Jahrhundert (907–1125)." in: Zeitschrift des Ferdinandeums fur Tirol und Vorarlberg (in German). Vol.28. Innsbruck: Wagner. 1884. pp.1–52.
Schaller, H. (1898). Genealogie de la Maison des Comtes Spaur de Flavon & Valör au Tyrol Meridional. Fribourg 1898. (in German)
Sinnacher, Franz Anton. Beyträge zur Geschichte der bischöflichen Kirche Säben und Brixen in Tyrol. 9 vols. Brixen: Joseph Weger 1821–1835. (in German) [Fraktur]
![[icon]](#/media/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small}
