 An uncle of the Austrian diplomat Karl Ferdinand Graf von Buol-Schauenstein, Buol-Schauenstein was first ordained as a priest at Chur on 14 June 1783.He was elected prince-bishop on 22 January 1794; his confirmation followed on 12 September 1794, and he was consecrated as such on 5 October 1794.In 1810, Buol joined the Order of Knights of Malta.