1929: The Ban on Johannes Ude's Public Speaking

The Catholic theologian and university professor Johannes Ude (1874–1965) was among the most pugnacious of Austrian public personalities in the first half of the 20th century. In hundreds of speeches and innumerable brochures, the priest tried to disseminate his strict conception of morality. Through his extremely rigorous rejection of “indecent” fads, prostitution and abortion, the staunch vegetarian, teetotaller and adversary of tobacco proceeded to gather a loyal following. As a result, he repeatedly came into conflict with the ruling Christian Social Party, which, in his view, was too lenient on issues regarding “indecency”, and with the official church, which also visibly disliked his political ambitions. Thus, in 1927, the Styrian bishop Pawlikowski forced him on short notice to renounce his candidacy for the National Council election and he was ultimately banned from public speaking in 1929. Only in the Second Republic could he resume his political activity, although his candidacy to become Federal President in 1951 was unsuccessful.