A problem for an intellectual career was his descent from the House of Vasa, since this was partly not considered to be of knightly birth and therefore not eligible for a foundation.

In Osnabrück he received a position as a canon, and the cathedral chapter elected him bishop, which was confirmed by the Pope a year later.

Since he became more and more dependent on the estates due to the economic emergency, he concluded a protection contract with Philip II of Spain in 1555 and took over the obligation to defend England against Scotland in 1560 against payment of money.

He lost the election de jure his episcopate in Osnabrück, but in fact remained as administrator there as well as prince-bishop.

In the electoral capitulation in Münster, he promised energetic action against church abuses, sects and religious innovations.

There can be no doubt about the goal of sticking to it, but for him the improvement of the government and the reform of the judiciary were also the more important concerns in the two new monasteries.

Overall, he strove for a fundamental reform of church administration, but his successes in defending Catholicism in the diocese of Osnabrück were limited.