Josef Grünwidl takes over as Archbishop of Vienna

Josef Grünwidl will be the new Archbishop of Vienna. The Vatican announced this Friday afternoon in its "Bollettino." The 62-year-old, who took over as Apostolic Administrator after the resignation of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn in January, wants to be a team player, bridge builder, and pastor, as he emphasized at a press conference. His consecration as bishop is expected to take place on January 24, and Schönborn is to perform it.

Grünwidl: "God does not want me to be perfect, but available"

Grünwidl, who will be addressed as "appointed bishop" until then, had actually emphasized in the past that he did not want to take on the office. "It took a very long time," he said now about the nine-month wait for a successor after Schönborn's resignation. During his time as Apostolic Administrator, however, he realized: "God does not want me to be perfect, but available." "Perfect" and "complete" are categories that apply to God. He finally said "yes" to this task "with all his heart and gladly."

He justified his original "no" by saying that he felt "really overwhelmed" by the many new tasks in the first weeks. Over the course of the nine months, however, he got to know the areas of work and the employees better. During visits to parishes, he also heard the wish that he should not say no when asked; and now the Pope has also decided in his favor. Schönborn also noted on Friday that he wished for Grünwidl to be his successor.

Grünwidl does not yet have a finished concept for his work as archbishop. However, he has resolved not to get lost in management tasks and instead remain a pastor. He wants to repeatedly go out to the poor, the sick, children, and young people, he said. He wants to shape the further path of the diocese as a team player and build bridges both within the church and in interreligious dialogue.

Grünwidl presented himself as progressive

When asked about controversial topics, he continued to present himself as progressive. Celibacy will always exist in the church, but it should be a "free decision," Grünwidl said. He could also imagine "that women are admitted to the ordination." However, this question can only be clarified at an ecumenical council. In any case, he advocated for women to be increasingly involved in the church's decision-making bodies. Although he does not want to "constantly comment" on political daily events, he wants to speak out when it comes to human rights or the protection of life.

"The church should stay in the village," Grünwidl said in view of the financial pressure. He sees a challenge in maintaining the church as a "spiritual local supplier." The decline in membership is problematic. To gain new followers, the church must reach out to people, he is convinced. It is important to bring the "melody of the Gospel" - a message of hope and confidence - to the people.

Grünwidl's appointment was unanimously welcomed on Friday by politics and the church as well as by representatives of other religious communities. The Council of Ministers, which must be involved in the matter according to the concordat, has already approved the personnel decision. Whether Grünwidl, like Schönborn and his predecessors, will also be appointed cardinal and thus have a vote in the election of the next pope is still open.

Van der Bellen congratulated

With unanimous joy, the appointment of Josef Grünwidl as the new Archbishop of Vienna was welcomed on Friday. Congratulations came from Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who wished Grünwidl "all the best for this responsible service." Expressions of joy were also directed from Grünwidl's colleagues. He is a good choice, and they look forward to working together, the Austrian bishops announced.

Archbishop Franz Lackner, Chairman of the Bishops' Conference, wrote of "great joy" throughout the Church in Austria. Vienna is getting a "true shepherd, a pastor" with Grünwidl. Similar sentiments were echoed by the Graz Diocesan Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl. Grünwidl is well-suited for the office. The Bishop of Innsbruck, Hermann Gletter, who was himself considered a candidate, saw a "solid" decision by the Pope. For the Carinthian Bishop Josef Marketz, Grünwidl is already well acquainted with the specific challenges and peculiarities of the Church in Vienna. As an administrator, he has gained much sympathy. The Vorarlberg Bishop Benno Elbs described the successor to Cardinal Christoph Schönborn as a sensitive mediator of the Gospel.

Evangelical Vienna Superintendent Calls It a "Gift"

According to Kathpress, consistently positive reactions also came from other Christian denominations on Friday. The Chairman of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria (ÖRKÖ), Bishop Tiran Petrosyan, highlighted in his congratulatory letter on behalf of all faith communities the previous relations with the Catholic Church and especially with the Archdiocese of Vienna. They look forward to the expected "continuation of good ecumenical cooperation in Austria" under Grünwidl, he wrote in a statement to the news agency Kathpress.

Bishop Michael Chalupka from the Evangelical Church expressed his delight that with Josef Grünwidl "the exemplary path of ecumenism in Austria can continue and be deepened." The Evangelical Vienna Superintendent Matthias Geist described Grünwidl as a "gift." Congratulations and blessings also came from the Orthodox Metropolitan Arsenios Kardamakis.

"Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes" also came from the President of the Jewish Community (IKG), Oskar Deutsch: "We look forward to continuing the cooperation as with the highly esteemed predecessors Cardinal Christoph Schönborn and Cardinal Franz König," Deutsch announced via X.

Stocker Wished New Vienna Archbishop "Much Strength and Confidence"

Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) expressed his delight on X and wished the new Archbishop "much strength and confidence for the tasks in the new office." Minister of Culture Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) emphasized that Pope Leo XIV chose Grünwidl as an "Archbishop who knows the Church in all its facets." Expressions of joy also came from NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Green leader Leonore Gewessler, who looks forward to an initial exchange.

Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) emphasized that he has come to know Grünwidl as a "very prudent, considerate, and open-minded pastor, priest, and church representative." With his appointment as Archbishop of Vienna, Pope Leo XIV has appointed a "personality respected far beyond the Catholic Church as a successor to Cardinal Christoph Schönborn." Congratulations also came from the Governor of Lower Austria, Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP). She wished the native of Lower Austria "much strength and God's blessing for this responsible task."

The Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vienna looks forward to working with the new Archbishop, who stands for a Church that is close to the people and recognizes need. Missio Austria also expressed delight, as did the reform movement "We are Church." The appointment of Grünwidl is "a pleasing signal to the church people of the Archdiocese of Vienna," according to the latter.

(APA/Red)

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