MIGAZZI, CHRISTOPH ANTON von. – Cardinal, b. at Innsbruck on 23 Nov. 1714, d. at Vienna on 15 Apr. 1803. He studied in Rome, where he returned in 1745 (as auditor of the Rota for the German nation), sent by Maria Theresa to obtain, among other things, the recognition of Francis I as emperor. He was Austrian ambassador to Spain, bishop of Vác (1756–57), apostolic administrator (1762–86), archbishop of Vienna (1757), cardinal (1761).
He led the opposition to Austrian Josephinism and to the laxity in the use of censorship by van Swieten, which permitted works such as Febronius. Though little liked by Kaunitz, he nevertheless represented Austria, by order of the Emperor, at the Conclave of 1774. He opposed the theories of Sonnenfels, Martini, and the educational plan of Abbot Rautenstrauch. The advent of Joseph II made his protests even less effective, nor did he meet with greater success in his efforts with Leopold II and Francis II, whom he sought to distance from Josephinism and to render favorable to the restoration of the Society of Jesus.