Bishop of Sankt Pölten
Alois Schwarz was born in Hollenthon, in the Archdiocese of Vienna, on June 14, 1952. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Vienna. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1976, and incardinated into the Archdiocese of Vienna. From 1976 to 1978, he served as a parochial vicar in Gloggnitz. From 1978 to 1984, he was an assistant at the Institute for Pastoral Theology and Kerygmatics at the University of Vienna and held the chair of Homiletics. From 1983, he also served as Prefect of Studies at the Major Seminary. He obtained his degree in Theology in 1981. From 1983 to 1992, he was the parish priest of Krumbach. In 1987, he was appointed Director of the Pastoral Office of the Archdiocese of Vienna, and in 1990, a Canon of the Metropolitan Chapter. He also served as President of the directors of Austrian pastoral offices and as President of the Pastoral Commission and the national Pastoral Institute. On December 27, 1996, he was elected Titular Bishop of Matara in Numidia and Auxiliary Bishop of Vienna, receiving episcopal ordination on February 22, 1997. On May 22, 2001, he was appointed Bishop of Gurk.