The Process of the Establishment of the Episcopacy in České Budějovice between 1783-1789

This study surveys the process of the establishment of the diocese of České Budějovice. It is possible to look at this process in different time perspectives: From a long-term perspective it is a result of a half-century effort of the Habsburg monarchs to improve the situation of a church authority in the territory of the Prague archdiocese or, subsequently, in the whole empire. From a short-term point of view we consider this process a consequence and part of a reformatory process begun during the reign of Marie Teresa and Joseph II in the enlightenment period. In the shortest perspective this study describes the establishment of the episcopacy as an approbated and documented process of the discussions in years 1783-1789, which started at request of the absolute monarch Joseph II. In the beginning of this process the reform of the church authority of the Prague archdiocese in the Southern Bohemia region was discussed so that in the end there was instituted a new, financially protected episcopacy with a young and active bishop at its head.

Keywords: Diocese of České Budějovice; Establishment of the episcopacy; Josef II