Schönborn's farewell: a thank -you service in the heart of Vienna

Schönborn's farewell: a thank -you service in the heart of Vienna

An important chapter of the Catholic Church in Austria is coming to an end: Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, who has headed the Archdiocese of Vienna for almost 30 years, will be adopted on January 18, 2025 as part of a large -scale thank -you service in St. Stephen. Over 4,000 guests are expected on this special occasion, including outstanding personalities from politics and church. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will also keep a speech, such as The crown reports .

celebrations and prominent guests

The thanksgiving service, in which Schönborn itself takes over the liturgical management, will begin at 2 p.m. He is all about thirty -year -old work of the archbishop and his commitment to a cooperative church. Special features of the service include a common commemoration of the baptism, in which leading representatives of 16 Christian churches will also renew their promise of baptism. Among the coaching are Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig, so .

A particularly moving component of the service is the handover of an gospel that has been filled over the years with signatures of thousands of people who have committed themselves to a common way of faith with Cardinal Schönborn. The celebrations end with a solemn blessing of the Archbishop, which is accompanied by numerous companions and the clerical staff. The music is designed by various choirs and cathedral chapel masters who accompanied Schönborn during his tenure.