First Communion, 1952

[Also of interest: read our 2005 Year in Review summary and

analysis of Cardinal Schönborn's activities in Austria and the world.]

Early Life

Christoph Schönborn (pronounced "Shoon-born"), was born of Austrian parents in the town of Skalsko, in what is now the Czech Republic on 22 January 1945. He was the second of four children. His parents returned to Austria when he was nine months old. He went to school in the towns of Schruns and Bludenz (Vorarlberg). Then in 1963, at the age of eighteen, he joined the Dominican order at their house of studies in Walberberg, Bonn, Germany.

Studying for the Dominicans

For the next seven years, Christoph pursued studies in philosophy, theology, and psychology. He then studied theology at Le Saulchoir and philosophy and psychology at the University of Vienna. He also attended the Catholic Institute of Paris for more theological work, and went to the Sorbonne for studies in Slavic and Byzantine Christianity. On 27 December 1970, at the age of twenty-five, he was ordained a priest of the Dominican Order by Franz Cardinal König, then Archbishop of Vienna.

Reading History

Professor of Dogmatics

in Fribourg, Switzerland

Teaching & Service in Fribourg, Switzerland

In just one year he became full professor of theology, and in 1981, assumed the title of Professor of Dogmatic Theology. Over the next several years he served on a variety of important commissions, including the Swiss Commission for Dialogue between Roman Catholics and Christians (1980-1984), the Orthodox-Roman Catholic Dialogue Commission of Switzerland (1980-1987), the Theological Commission of the Swiss Bishop's Conference (1980-1991), the Foundation "Pro Oriente," and the International Commission of Theologians (1980-Present).  

In 1987 Fr. Schönborn was selected to serve as the Editing Secretary for the pontifical commission charged with drafting the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was completed in 1992.

Elevation to Bishop, Archbishop & Cardinal

On 11 July 1991, at the age of forty-six, Fr. Schönborn was appointed by Pope John Paul II the Auxiliary Bishop of Vienna. He was ordained on 29 September of the same year by Cardinal Hans Hermann Groër. Less than four years later, at the age of fifty, Bishop Schönborn was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Vienna, becoming Archbishop on 14 September 1995. On 29 June 1996, he traveled to Rome to  receive his pallium, the symbol of archiepiscopal authority, from Pope John Paul II. He chose as his Episcopal Motto: "I have called you friends" from John 15:15. That same year he was asked to preach the Lenten spiritual exercises for the Pope and the Roman Curia. On 21 February 1998, at the age of fifty-three, he was created cardinal by Pope John Paul II, with the titular title and church in Rome of "Jesus the Divine Worker." He received his red berretta on 23 February.

Cardinal Schönborn's

Coat of Arms

Cardinal Schönborn

Celebrating Easter

Current Assignments & Projects

Since June of 1998 he has been the President of the Austrian Bishop's Conference. He enjoys curial membership in the Congregations for the Doctrine of the Faith, Oriental Churches, and Catholic Education. He is a member of the pontifical Council on Culture, the commission on the Cultural Heritage of the Church, as well as the Special Council for Europe of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. Cardinal Schönborn is also Ordinary for the faithful of the Byzantine Rite in Austria.

In collaboration with the Archbishops of Paris, Brussels, Lisbon, and Budapest, Cardinal Schönborn is deeply involved in the re-evangelization of Europe.  He is active in bringing about cooperation between new movements (such as the Charismatic Renewal) and the Church's hierarchical structure, and is recognized for his sensitivity to Eastern Christian and Orthodox spiritualities. Within Austria and Europe, Cardinal Schönborn has led the way in reconciling Christians and Jews.

An International Profile

Cardinal Schönborn is a world traveler. Besides numerous regular visits to the United States and European countries, he visited Ecuador in 1998, Nigeria in 2000, and Zambia in 2002, to name a few. He was invited by the apostolic nuncio of Jakarta to Indonesia when it was hit by the tsunami of December 2004. In April of 2005 he was one of the youngest cardinals to participate in the election of Pope Benedict XVI. He attended the World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany.  In June of 2005, he published an article in the New York Times that has been widely acknowledged as a landmark in the debate on evolution. He continues to expand and explain his position on this issue in his Catechetical Lectures, given from his cathedral of St. Stephansdom in Vienna. He is fluent in German, French, English, Italian, Spanish, and Latin. He is popularly called "The Healer."

Christopher Cardinal Schönborn, 2005