Cardinal Slice is not just a favorite dessert among local sweets. No, it’s actually a relic of the Dollfus era. The person to whom the dish was originally dedicated – Cardinal Theodore Initzer – is also a “controversial figure”. This is the conclusion reached by “the standard”.
Confectioner Ludwig Henner is considered the inventor of the cardinal slice. It is said that he created it for Catholic Day in 1933 – “also in honor of Cardinal Theodore Initzer, who at that time was not only at the clerical top, but also lived near the pastry shop on the Volziel and is said to have That a regular guest.”
But none of this is actually politically correct. At first, under the corporate state, Catholic Day was organized “for political purposes: Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss gave a welcome speech to an enthusiastic public publicizing the corporate state.” Secondly, Initzer was a “controversial figure”, also because of his behavior. In 1938 he and the bishops signed a declaration calling on the Austrians to vote for “annexation” in a referendum.
The Standard correctly notes how “not pleased” Pope Pius XI was at the time. About Initzer’s behavior. More specifically: Cardinal Archbishop Theodore Initzer was summoned to Rome, where the now ailing Pope demanded an explanation. Cardinal Theodore Initzer had to endure an extremely inflammatory speech. Pope Initzer is said to have said, “Finally take off your rose-colored glasses.”
On the other hand, the problem of huge cuts by “Standard” is surprising. It’s not called “Initzer-Schnight” and no one associates it with a political message. There are also openly anti-Semitic politicians who have several streets and residential complexes named after them, such as Oskar Helmer, interior minister of the SPÖ in the post-war period. The same cannot be said about Initzer. He supported the relief office in the archbishop’s palace, which helped Jews escape.
