Bishops seek interim secretary as they review eligibility rules

Austria’s Catholic bishops are considering opening their conference’s general secretariat to women and laypeople, but may first appoint an interim secretary while the rules are reviewed, ORF reports.

The bishops could discuss an interim arrangement at their plenary meeting in Salzburg from November 9 to 12. The current statutes reserve the post for ordained priests. Any change would need approval from the Vatican, a process that could take about six months.

Peter Schipka announced in mid-September that he would step down at the end of November, ahead of schedule and at his own request. He is due to take up a professorship at the Church Educational University of Vienna and Lower Austria. The bishops will decide on his successor, with a candidate proposed by conference chairman and Salzburg Archbishop Franz Lackner.

The Catholic Women’s Movement and the Women.Lead.Church network have called for qualified laypeople to be eligible. Lackner has also said he sees no objection to opening the role, which is already possible in several European countries, including Germany.

If the bishops back a change, they would still need to send it to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops for approval. An interim appointment may therefore be needed before the conference chooses a permanent successor at its spring meeting, expected in March.

Opening the post would not guarantee that a woman is appointed. The conference chairman would retain the right to propose a candidate. Lackner could be replaced in the coming years by Vienna Archbishop Josef Grünwidl, ORF reports.