Johannes Freitag (52)
After 12 years: New auxiliary bishop for Styria
A bang in the Catholic Church: after twelve years, Styria is once again getting an auxiliary bishop. At midday, the Vatican officially announced the surprising appointment: Johannes Freitag (52), born in Knittelfeld, will take over the post, which has been vacant since 2013.
Numerous names had recently been traded on the rumor market - but no one had him on their radar: Johannes Freitag will become the new Styrian auxiliary bishop, who will support diocesan bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl in his daily work. The Pope's decision was officially communicated in the midday Vatican bulletin.
Johannes Freitag was born in Knittelfeld in 1972 and was ordained a priest in Graz Cathedral in 2000. Since 2023, the popular clergyman and theologian has served as head of the Upper Styrian pastoral area An der Eisenstraße - in Trofaiach, Eisenerz and Vordernberg - and is also a military chaplain.
Krautwaschl new archbishop in Vienna?
Does this appointment mean that Freitag will soon succeed Wilhelm Krautwaschl? Well, we shall see. The Styrian "senior shepherd" is still considered a hot contender for the office of Archbishop of Vienna and possibly Cardinal. The Archdiocese of Vienna is currently led by Administrator Josef Grünwidl, a temporary position.
At 2 pm, Bishop Krautwaschl hosted a press conference to introduce his new colleague. He immediately came up with a curious surprise: When the nuncio wanted to inform him of his appointment as Austria's youngest bishop, he thought it was a joke from friends - and promptly ignored the cell phone message.
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