Maximilian Aichern began his working life as a journeyman butcher in his parents’ business in Vienna. The career change came at the age of 21. His younger sister took over his parents’ business and he was able to pursue his calling. Aichern entered the monastery of St. Lambrecht in Styria. After studying theology, he was ordained a priest in Rome in 1959.
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18 years later he became abbot of St. Lambrecht and in 1982 finally bishop of the diocese of Linz. Aichern was someone who didn’t hide, even when things got tricky. He initiated an alliance for non-working Sundays, founded the Episcopal Unemployment Foundation and convened a diocesan assembly to initiate reforms. He was seen as someone who also got things done himself. Refugee families lived in the Bishop’s House for several years.
Supporter of diaconate ordination for women
Aichern was a supporter of the ordination of women as deacons, and he was also open to the ordination of women as priests. “I believe – despite some setbacks that occur again and again – that the ordination of women as deacons cannot be stopped, because they have already been there. And the same, I think, also applies to the ordination of married men. I would of course also say: perhaps even of women,” he said in an interview that the diocese’s communications office conducted with him shortly before his 90th birthday.
Shipping note: “In Memoriam Old Bishop Maximilian Aichern”, Sunday at 12.54 p.m., ORF2 in “KREUZ&QUER PLUS”
Simplicity was important to him
His personal lifestyle was characterized by simplicity. For years he visited the parishes in his own private small car. Maximilian Aichern has now died, he was 93 years old.
“Was a bridge builder”
Bishop Manfred Scheuer, who according to the diocese prayed with and for him in the last few hours, looks sadly but with great gratitude at the work of the former bishop. “He was a bridge builder who always sought dialogue – in the church as well as in society.”
“He knew what work meant and where people were struggling,” said Archbishop Josef Grünwidl. Aichern’s roots have shaped his work. He was a person with a sense of justice.
Gabriele Eder-Cakl, director of the Austrian Pastoral Institute, and Ferdinand Kaineder, chairman of the Catholic Action Austria, highlighted the deceased’s great social commitment.
The director of the Catholic Private University of Linz, Michael Fuchs, praised Aichern as someone who was characterized by a great willingness to talk to different interest groups.
For Stefan Pimmingstorfer, director of Caritas Upper Austria, Maximilian Aichern was a voice for those who often don’t have one: for the unemployed, the homeless or for refugees.
Aichern treated everyone as equals
“The large Catholic Church and the small Protestant Church – Bishop Aichern has always treated us as equals,” says Gerold Lehner, Superintendent of the Evangelical Church. It would have been a warm and respectful interaction.
“Engine of ecumenism”
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn particularly emphasized Aichern’s commitment to the legacy of Franz Jägerstätter: “The fact that the process for the beatification of this great Upper Austrian witness to the faith came to a good conclusion is largely thanks to Bishop Maximilian.” The Evangelical Church in Upper Austria also mourns the loss of Bishop Aichern as a “loyal friend” and “driver of ecumenism,” said Superintendent Gerold Lehner in his obituary.
Stelzer: “spiritual pillar of our country”
In his first reaction, Governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP) honored Aichern as a moral and spiritual pillar of the country. “His tireless advocacy for social justice, the dignity of every single person and the dialogue between church and society remains a role model and mission for all of us.”
Deputy Governor Manfred Haimbuchner (FPÖ) paid tribute to the deceased as a “man of clear values”. He understood how to credibly combine faith, social commitment and social responsibility.
Former Bishop Maximilian Aichern was a formative personality for the city of Linz, said Mayor Dietmar Prammer (SPÖ). He had a lasting influence on Linz with his humanity and responsibility
State Councilor Stefan Kaineder (Greens) emphasized that Aichern has always put what is common before what divides. His work was felt far beyond his time as bishop.
According to Provincial Councilor Martin Winkler (SPÖ), he was an inspiring religious figure in Upper Austria and a person with a deep social streak.
Requiem in Linz Mariendom
On Thursday, Bishop Manfred Scheuer will celebrate the evening service in the crypt at 6:15 p.m., followed by a personal farewell in the tower chapel from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
On Friday the cathedral chapter prays Lauds at 7:45 a.m.; There will be an opportunity to say goodbye from 7:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The wake will take place in St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, farewell is possible from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; At 12 p.m. the Requiem will be celebrated under the direction of Bishop Manfred Scheuer.
After the funeral ceremonies in Linz, the coffin will be transferred to Aichern’s home monastery of St. Lambrecht in Styria. On Sunday, February 8, 2026, Bishop Maximilian Aichern will be laid in state in the St. Lambrecht Collegiate Church from 11:30 a.m.
Burial in Styria
A requiem will be celebrated in the collegiate church on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 2 p.m. After the requiem, Bishop Maximilian Aichern, who was abbot of St. Lambrecht before his appointment as bishop, is buried in the abbot’s crypt of the collegiate church.
Shipping note:
“In Memoriam Old Bishop Maximilian Aichern”, Sunday at 12.54 p.m., ORF2 in “KREUZ&QUER PLUS”
