The creation of the Austrian diocese of Linz and St. Pölten out of territories which had been parts of the diocese of the prince-bishops of Passau marks an important part of the ecclesiastical policy of the Austrian Emperor Joseph II (1765-1790). The sanction by Pope Pius VI in 1785 recognized the creation of the diocese of Linz, which was to be supported in part by revenues from properties belonging to several recently suppressed monasteries. The Priesterseminar of the diocese of Linz and its library date from the creation of the diocese; and, at the direction of the emperor, a selection of manuscripts and early printed books from the libraries of the suppressed monasteries was presented to the library of the Priesterseminar.