Hope in the Holy Year: Bishop Glettler talks about light and art

Hope in the Holy Year: Bishop Glettler talks about light and art

In a recent interview, Tyrolean Bishop Hermann Glettler speaks about his visions for the upcoming Holy Year 2025, which has the motto “Pilgrims of Hope”. In a video series with various representatives of the Tyrolean state government and other personalities, including Governor Anton Mattle, Glettler explained that the coming year plays an important role for the Catholic Church. This Holy Year will officially begin on the 1st Sunday in the Octave of Christmas, December 29th, 2024, in Innsbruck Cathedral, while the festive start in the parishes in Tyrol will take place on February 2nd, 2025 MyDistrict reported.

Bishop Glettler takes stock

Glettler, who will soon be celebrating his 60th birthday, looks back on his life and the support he has received with gratitude. “I met many people on whom I could rely,” said the bishop. He also states that art plays an important role in the connection between church and society. “Good art always has the potential for friction, it helps us to become more human and divine,” he explains. Hermann Glettler received his episcopal ordination on December 2, 2017 in Innsbruck and since then he has been committed to helping the socially disadvantaged and refugees. The bishop's coat of arms symbolizes his deep connection to Innsbruck and Graz, his homeland Diocese of Innsbruck has determined.

With a view to the Holy Year, Hermann Glettler emphasizes that hope should be the central element: “Without hope, life is hopeless.” He invites everyone to celebrate together and promises that worthy events will be offered in communities to share the light of hope. With his message he doesn't want to exclude anyone and encourages everyone to celebrate the mystery of the birth of Jesus: "God becomes human and tells us: 'No one is alone!'"