Carl Maria Splett - Early Life

Early Life

Splett was born in Zoppot (Sopot) to the teacher and later Vice-president of the Free City of Danzig's Parliament (Volkstag), Franz Splett. He visited school in Konitz (Chojnice), Neustadt (Wejherowo) and Danzig (Gdańsk), where he passed his Abitur in 1917. Splett studied Theology and Philosophy at the Seminary of the Diocese of Kulm in Pelplin, where he also learned Polish. He was ordained on 10 July 1921 and after graduating at Pelplin, he was sent to Rome for further studies, especially in Canon law, and practiced at the Sacra Rota Romana.

Splett returned to Danzig in 1924 and became a vicar at several congregations within the then Apostolic Administration of Danzig (elevated to diocese in 1925), he further promoted to cathedral capitular of Oliva in 1935.

He succeeded Edward O'Rourke as the head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Danzig (Gdańsk) in 1938. While the Nazis, who ruled the Free State of Danzig since 1933, tried to install their own candidate, Paul Schütz, as successor of Bishop O'Rourke, Splett was appointed as Bishop by the Pope. Splett also refused to appoint a vicar general as Schütz was again demanded by the local Nazis.

Splett held the position as Bishop of Danzig also after the German annexation of the Free City during World War II. He was known for his friendly attitude towards Poles, but he also collaborated with the Nazi government. After the Invasion of Poland seven out of twelve Polish and four German Priests of his diocese were murdered, several parishes were disseized and after Splett initially refused to prohibit the usage of Polish in his diocese another six Priests were arrested by the Gestapo, which forced him to ban the usage of Polish in his Diocese in April/May 1940.