Christoph von Stadion
Encyclopedia
Christoph von Stadion was Prince-Bishop of Augsburg
from 1517 to 1543.
in March 1478, the son of Nikolaus von Stadion (d. 1507) and his wife Agatha von Gültlingen (d. 1504). In 1490, he began his studies at the University of Tübingen, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1491 and a master's in 1494. He then studied at the University of Freiburg
, moving on to the University of Bologna
in 1497. Finally, he studied at the University of Ferrara
, from which he received a doctorate
in law.
He became a canon
in the cathedral chapter
of Augsburg Cathedral
in September 1506. In 1515, he was elected dean of the cathedral chapter. He was ordained
as a priest
in 1515.
In March 1517, shortly before the death of Heinrich von Lichtenau
, Prince-Bishop of Augsburg
, the cathedral chapter elected him coadjutor bishop
, a selection confirmed by Pope Leo X
on April 20, 1517, shortly after the death of Heinrich von Lichtenau. Christoph von Stadion was consecrated as a bishop
by Gabriel von Eyb, Bishop of Eichstätt
, on July 5, 1517.
He held a canonical visitation
in the bishopric of Augsburg in 1518 and 1523. In the wake of the papal bull
Exsurge Domine
(1520), he moved to suppress the Reformation
in the bishopric, particularly after 1522. He was unable, however, to halt the spread of Protestant ideas in Augsburg. As a result, he sought to chart a middle course with the Reformers, supporting moderation at the 1530 Diet of Augsburg
. He was unable to prevent the expulsion of the Catholic clergy from the city of Augsburg
in 1537.
He died on April 15, 1543, and was buried in the parish church in Dillingen an der Donau.
Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg
The Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg was one of the prince-bishoprics of the Holy Roman Empire, which belonged to the Swabian Circle.-Early period:...
from 1517 to 1543.
Biography
Christoph von Stadion was born in SchelklingenSchelklingen
Schelklingen is a town in the district of Alb-Donau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany. It is situated 10 km north of Ehingen, and 20 km west of Ulm...
in March 1478, the son of Nikolaus von Stadion (d. 1507) and his wife Agatha von Gültlingen (d. 1504). In 1490, he began his studies at the University of Tübingen, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1491 and a master's in 1494. He then studied at the University of Freiburg
University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg , sometimes referred to in English as the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.The university was founded in 1457 by the Habsburg dynasty as the...
, moving on to the University of Bologna
University of Bologna
The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world, the word 'universitas' being first used by this institution at its foundation. The true date of its founding is uncertain, but believed by most accounts to have been 1088...
in 1497. Finally, he studied at the University of Ferrara
University of Ferrara
The University of Ferrara is the main university of the city of Ferrara in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. In the years prior to the First World War the University of Ferrara, with more than 500 students, was the best attended of the free universities in Italy...
, from which he received a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in law.
He became a canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
in the cathedral chapter
Cathedral chapter
In accordance with canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese in his stead. These councils are made up of canons and dignitaries; in the Roman Catholic church their...
of Augsburg Cathedral
Augsburg Cathedral
The Cathedral of Augsburg is a church in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany, founded in the 11th century in Romanesque style, but with 14th century Gothic additions. Together with the Basilica of St. Ulrich and Afra, it is one of the city's main attractions. It measures 113 x 40 m, and its towers...
in September 1506. In 1515, he was elected dean of the cathedral chapter. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
as a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
in 1515.
In March 1517, shortly before the death of Heinrich von Lichtenau
Heinrich von Lichtenau
Heinrich von Lichtenau was Prince-Bishop of Augsburg from 1505 to 1517.-Biography:Heinrich von Lichtenau was born in Mindelheim in 1444. He was ordained as a priest in Augsburg in 1484....
, Prince-Bishop of Augsburg
Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg
The Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg was one of the prince-bishoprics of the Holy Roman Empire, which belonged to the Swabian Circle.-Early period:...
, the cathedral chapter elected him coadjutor bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
, a selection confirmed by Pope Leo X
Pope Leo X
Pope Leo X , born Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, was the Pope from 1513 to his death in 1521. He was the last non-priest to be elected Pope. He is known for granting indulgences for those who donated to reconstruct St. Peter's Basilica and his challenging of Martin Luther's 95 Theses...
on April 20, 1517, shortly after the death of Heinrich von Lichtenau. Christoph von Stadion was consecrated as a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
by Gabriel von Eyb, Bishop of Eichstätt
Bishop of Eichstätt
-Bishops of Eichstätt, 741-1790:*Willibald 741-786*Geroch 786-801*Aganus 801-819*Adalung 820-841*Altun 841-858*Ottokar 858-881*Gottschalk 881-884*Erkenbald 884-916*Udalfried 916-933*Starchand 933-966*Reginald 966-989*Megingoz von Lechsgemund 989-1014...
, on July 5, 1517.
He held a canonical visitation
Canonical Visitation
A canonical visitation is the act of an ecclesiastical superior who in the discharge of his office visits persons or places with a view of maintaining faith and discipline, and of correcting abuses by the application of proper remedies.-Catholic usage:...
in the bishopric of Augsburg in 1518 and 1523. In the wake of the papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
Exsurge Domine
Exsurge Domine
220px|thumb|Title page of first printed edition of Exsurge DomineExsurge Domine is a papal bull issued on 15 June 1520 by Pope Leo X in response to the teachings of Martin Luther in his 95 theses and subsequent writings which opposed the views of the papacy...
(1520), he moved to suppress the Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
in the bishopric, particularly after 1522. He was unable, however, to halt the spread of Protestant ideas in Augsburg. As a result, he sought to chart a middle course with the Reformers, supporting moderation at the 1530 Diet of Augsburg
Diet of Augsburg
The Diet of Augsburg were the meetings of the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire in the German city of Augsburg. There were many such sessions, but the three meetings during the Reformation and the ensuing religious wars between the Roman Catholic emperor Charles V and the Protestant...
. He was unable to prevent the expulsion of the Catholic clergy from the city of Augsburg
Augsburg
Augsburg is a city in the south-west of Bavaria, Germany. It is a university town and home of the Regierungsbezirk Schwaben and the Bezirk Schwaben. Augsburg is an urban district and home to the institutions of the Landkreis Augsburg. It is, as of 2008, the third-largest city in Bavaria with a...
in 1537.
He died on April 15, 1543, and was buried in the parish church in Dillingen an der Donau.