Viennese theologian Zulehner celebrates 85th birthday: a life for the church

Viennese theologian Zulehner celebrates 85th birthday: a life for the church

Wien, Österreich - The well -known Viennese pastoral theologian and religious sociologist Paul M. Zulehner celebrates his 85th birthday on December 20, 2024. Despite his retirement in 2008, Zlehner remains an outstanding figure in the analysis of the religious landscape of Austria and Europe. In one year he gives dozens of lectures and is a sought -after conversation partner in the media and with church decision -makers. Its impressive list of publication includes over 100 monographs, almost 60 books and around 750 articles that deal with current social and church policy issues. As early as 2025, Zulehner has announced two new books, such as Kathpress

a life for the Church and the faith

particularly highlighted is Zulehner's goal not only to comment on not only, but to actively shape the events. So he was initiator of the online petition "Pro Pope Francis", with which almost 75,000 supporters were recognized for the Pope and his course within the church in February 2019. Zlehner is committed to more freedom of choice by the local churches and the access of women to consecration offices. In his function as a professor of pastoral theology at the University of Vienna, he shaped theological training and research for over two decades. Zulehner is also known for his pointed formulations and the ability to make theology understandable to a broad audience, as described in detail.

his unique perspective on topics such as secularization and the church ties decreasing in many places is reflected in his views: he sees the current development as a return to a "biblical normal case" in which the church should act as a minority again. With an informal jogging in nature, the inspired 85-year-old keeps fit and creates terms such as "rumors of God" or "Verbung", which shape his visions for the future of the church. Zulehner remains a sought -after consultant for church and social issues and a lively mediator between tradition and modernity.