Johann Franz von Schönau-Zell explained

Johann Franz Reichsritter von Schönau-Zell (1619–1656) was the Prince-Bishop of Basel from 1651 to 1656.

Biography

Johann Franz von Schönau-Zell was born in Ensisheim on 15 July 1619, the son of Marx Jakob von Schönau and of Margaretha von Reinach.[1] He spent his childhood in Waldshut after his father became bailiff of the forest there. His father set on a career in the clergy for his younger son. The boy studied at Porrentruy, the University of Freiburg, Lucerne, and at the Collegium Germanicum in Rome.

He was ordained as a priest on 15 April 1648.[2] On 18 September 1648 the cathedral chapter of Basel Münster elected him to be Prince-Bishop of Basel. Pope Innocent X confirmed the appointment on 3 March 1653. Thomas Henrici, auxiliary bishop of Basel on 15 June 1653.

He died in Porrentruy on 30 November 1656. He received heart-burial.

References

  1. [:de:Johann Franz von Schönau|Article on German Wikipedia]
  2. http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bschonau.html Profile on catholic-hierarchy.org