Ultra-progressive Vienna Apostolic Administrator, who wants a new Council, denies unconvincingly he wants to be Archbishop. "In my opinion, it is time to initiate changes on the two issues of women in the Church and celibacy."
Grünwidl: Long wait for new bishop nothing unusual
Vienna Administrator on ZIB 2: "I expect a decision in the fall" - On the question of his own appointment: "If it really comes to that, I'll see how I react" - Regarding the issue of women and celibacy, "it's time to initiate steps for change"
The Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Vienna, Josef Grünwidl, has asked for understanding for the long wait for a new Archbishop of Vienna: While he also wonders "why it's taking so long," he also says it's important "that a good bishop is found." And if that apparently takes longer, "then I can live with that," Grünwidl said on Thursday evening on ZIB 2. Moreover, such waiting periods are nothing unusual: After Cardinal Franz König's retirement, it took about a year to appoint a successor; in the Diocese of Innsbruck, they waited almost two years for a new bishop.
Grünwidl also reiterated that he expects a new archbishop to be appointed by the end of the year. An appointment during the next meeting of cardinals after the summer break in mid-September is also conceivable. His mandate would expire in January. Exceeding this deadline would result in an expansion of the administrator's powers – something Rome apparently wants to avoid. When asked whether he would stick to his no if he were appointed, Grünwidl said: "I have clearly stated that I do not see myself in this position." Should the Pope nevertheless decide to do so, "I will see how I react."
Church "in a major transformation process"
Overall, the Viennese administrator sees the Catholic Church in Austria, but also throughout Western Europe, "in a major transformation process that is proceeding rapidly": In addition to demographic change with declining birth rates, there is a "completely changed religious landscape" in which churches are "just one option among many." This pluralization of options is positive in principle – but the Church is still struggling with this new situation after the end of a "Christian-Catholic monoculture."
Grünwidl: "We don't have to reinvent everything. After all, the Gospel is the best message, which is about peace, reconciliation, community, and hope. And that is what we need today. If we proclaimed it more credibly and authentically, we would also have a better chance of reaching people with our message." Many parishes and communities are already doing well in this – "but there is still room for improvement," Grünwidl admitted.
The time is also ripe for changes in the area of women's issues and celibacy, the administrator continued. While some things have already "been set in motion," Grünwidl pointed to the synodal process initiated by Pope Francis, much remains to be done: "In my opinion, it is time to initiate changes on the two issues of women in the Church and celibacy." The celibate lifestyle for priests has always existed and will continue to exist – "but voluntary, not mandatory. That would be my approach."
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