Dr. Georg Pfaffenwimmer CSsR

Georg Pfaffenschwimmer was born in Irndorf near Kremsmünster, the son of farm owner Josef Pfaffenschwimmer and his wife Theresia. After elementary school, he attended the Stiftsgymnasium in Kremsmünster, where he graduated in 1915. In the year of his graduation, he volunteered for military service along with his entire graduating class, underwent officer training and was subsequently deployed to the Italian front, where he was taken prisoner of war in 1917.

On his return from Italian captivity, he joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) at Gurk Abbey, which was run by the Redemptorists at the time, and began studying theology, obtaining his doctorate in 1926. He was ordained a priest in the same year. He then taught philosophy in Gurk and Mautern.

He was opposed to the occupation of Austria by National Socialist Germany, especially as he was arrested by the Gestapo on July 25, 1938 for a sermon and held for a short time in Leoben prison. After his release, he remained in Mautern for the time being. On April 28, 1940, he was once again critical of the regime during a eulogy. As a result, he was arrested again on May 14, 1940 and held in custody until May 24, 1940. He was then banned from Styria.