Media reports: Josef Grünwidl to become Archbishop of Vienna. Announcement likely tomorrow. Progressive who wants a new Council to be called to decide on female ordination.
According to media reports, the current Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Vienna is to become the new archbishop - The 62-year-old passionate pastor, listener, and music lover stands for dialogue and spiritual depth
The Archdiocese of Vienna has neither confirmed nor denied media reports that Josef Grünwidl is to become the new Archbishop of Vienna. In response to a Kathpress inquiry on Wednesday evening, the archdiocesan spokesperson pointed out that a decision by Pope Leo XIV could only be made public or commented on after an official announcement by the Vatican. The Austria Press Agency (APA), citing government sources, had previously reported that the still pending circular resolution in the Council of Ministers is to be passed on Thursday. According to information from the "Presse," Grünwidl is named as the new archbishop. According to "Heute," the papal decision was personally delivered to the Foreign Ministry by the Apostolic Nuncio to Austria, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana.
Grünwidl has been leading the Archdiocese of Vienna on an interim basis since January 22. On the same day, Pope Francis (2013-2025) accepted Cardinal Christoph Schönborn's resignation due to age, precisely on his 80th birthday. At the same time, Grünwidl was appointed Apostolic Administrator, or interim administrator, by the Pope.
The government is also involved in the appointment of a Diocesan bishop in Austria. According to the Concordat (Article IV, Paragraph 2), the so-called "political clause" applies in this country: Under this clause, the Holy See has undertaken to inform the federal government of the candidate's name before appointing an archbishop or bishop. The federal government can raise "reasons of a general political nature" against the appointment. If such an objection is raised, both sides are required to reach an agreement. If this fails, the Pope is nevertheless free to assert his choice. If there is no objection from the government, the appointment is subsequently published by the Vatican.
Passionate pastor
In January, the Pope appointed Josef Grünwidl as Apostolic Administrator for Vienna. Just a year ago, he was hardly known beyond the diocesan borders. Pushing himself into the spotlight was never the 62-year-old's style. However, through his quiet work in pastoral care, he has proven himself over decades, convincing not only the archdiocese but apparently also Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. The latter had once appointed him secretary and later episcopal vicar – and then likely recommended him to the Vatican as apostolic administrator. The Weinviertel native has fulfilled this interim assignment with flying colors in recent months, qualifying him for higher responsibilities in the eyes of the church leadership.
Grünwidl was born on January 31, 1963, in Hollabrunn and grew up in nearby Wullersdorf, not far from the Benedictine Priory of Maria Roggendorf. After graduating from the Archbishop's Advanced Secondary School in Hollabrunn, he entered the Vienna Seminary in 1981 and studied theology at the University of Vienna. At the same time, he studied organ at the University of Music and Performing Arts. During a year of study in Würzburg, he made the decision: "Music will remain my hobby, but being a priest will be my profession." In 1987, he was ordained a deacon by Auxiliary Bishop Helmut Krätzl, and in 1988, he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Franz König.
His pastoral career led him first as a chaplain to St. John Nepomuk in Vienna (from 1988), then as a curate to the cathedral parish of Wiener Neustadt (1991), and then as a diocesan youth pastor (1993), moving into supra-regional work. From 1995 to 1998, he served as secretary to the newly appointed Archbishop Christoph Schönborn. Grünwidl then served for many years as a pastor in several parishes in southern Lower Austria, including Kirchberg am Wechsel, Feistritz, St. Corona, and Trattenbach. In 2007, he became dean, and from 2014, pastor of Perchtoldsdorf. In 2016, he was elected executive chairman of the Vienna Priests' Council, appointed Episcopal Vicar for the Southern Vicariate in 2023, and Honorary Canon of St. Stephen's Cathedral in 2024.
Interim Head open to dialogue
Following Cardinal Schönborn's retirement as Archbishop of Vienna, Grünwidl was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Vienna on January 22, 2025. Since then, his role has been the interim leadership of the Archdiocese, including administration, pastoral care, and personnel coordination, but without making long-term decisions so as not to prejudge the future archbishop. During this phase, Grünwidl distinguished himself as a pastorally grounded leader, a valued preacher, and an understanding dialogue partner. His listening leadership style was widely appreciated within the diocesan administration.
With his appointment as interim director, Grünwidl also moved into the circle of potential successors to Schönborn's bishopric. When asked by the media about church "hot topics," the former member of the Priests' Initiative expressed his openness to reforms. He emphasized that celibacy was, for him personally, a consciously chosen way of life, but "not a matter of faith" – and therefore should not be a mandatory requirement for priests. Regarding the issue of women in the Church, he identified an "urgent need for clarification": the female diaconate should be further discussed, and he also considered the admission of women to the College of Cardinals. As administrator, he appointed three women to the diocesan leadership team.
Mysticism instead of cultural Christianity
Despite all the structural issues, Grünwidl sees the future of the Church not primarily in this, but in spiritual renewal. Pastoral care needs fewer functionaries and more "mystics," he believes. Anyone involved in church work must first cultivate their own spiritual life. People with "deviant lifestyles" or who doubt their faith should encounter "a loving heart," and instead of superficial "cultural Christianity," they need a personal relationship with Christ, as well as regular prayer, Scripture reading, and Eucharist. At a time when belonging to the church is increasingly becoming a conscious decision, he advocated for stronger accompaniment and credible proclamation: The gospel is "the best message, which is about peace, reconciliation, community, and hope."
Grünwidl is aware of the church's shrinking human and financial resources, having already had to deal with them as a pastor and administrator. Especially when dealing with church buildings, he advocates for cautious, community-oriented decisions that could range from preservation to repurposing to possible sale. The best solution, he argues, is "a vibrant congregation, so that churches remain in the village" and can continue to ensure basic spiritual needs. The former diocesan interim director advocated for a pastoral building concept and increased cooperation between neighboring parishes.
On the issue of synodality, Grünwidl has so far called for "healthy decentralization," noting that not every single issue needs to be decided centrally in Rome. New consultation and decision-making formats could help overcome "ecclesiastical deafness to the Gospel and the realities of life." Whether and in what way he will participate in political debates in the future remains to be seen. The future archbishop rejected a church "that constantly takes a finger-wagging stance on current politics." However, where human dignity, justice, and the protection of the disadvantaged are at stake, clear words are absolutely necessary.
Mountain lover and organist
Grünwidl finds balance from everyday church life in nature – hiking or making music. Music has always been his "food" and "a path to God," whether at the piano or the organ, he said in an interview. Friends describe him as a subtle and humorous person and say he's a fan of Loriot. His spiritual role models include the Rule of St. Benedict ("Pray, work, and read") and Saint Teresa of Avila, whose faith in God and "second conversion" particularly impress him.
In recent months, Grünwidl has repeatedly stated regarding Schönborn's successor that he "doesn't see himself in this position" and would prefer to return to his parish. If the Pope were to ask him to do so, he would "see how I react." Whether and how he has decided will become clear at the latest when the Vatican announces the personnel decision for Vienna.
Full background in previous stories- including how he wants a new Council to decide on the ordination of women
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