Barbara Velik-Frank: First episcopal vicar in Carinthia!

Barbara Velik-Frank: First episcopal vicar in Carinthia!

In a historical step for the Gurk diocese, the pastoral theologist Barbara Velik-Frank was appointed the first episcopal vicar in Austria. Diocesan bishop Josef Marketz announced that the doctorate will take over the newly created office of "Episcopal Vicar for Synodity and Church Development" from March 1st. This office has been set up to support the required progress in the promotion of lay people, especially women, within the church, such as kathpress.at reported.

Velik-Frank already has extensive experience in the church environment. She coordinated the church development process of the diocese in the past three years and has already taken over numerous pastoral tasks. Bishop Marketz said that with her knowledge and experience, she will decisively advance the synodal development process in Carinthia. She emphasized that this was also a signal for greater responsibility for women in the church. Their goal is to actively shape synodality and the development process, but without having to make structural changes, such as kath-kirche-kaernten.at supplemented.

a faith reform in motion

The establishment of the new office and the appointment of Velik-Frank are part of a more comprehensive plan for the Reformation of the Church, which is based on the impulses of Pope Francis. The episcopal decree to set up the office states that the teachings of the latest bishopric synod and the synodal requirements represent clear guidelines for future decisions in the church. This is shown in the emphasized necessity to adapt the organizational structure of the diocese to effectively implement the focus and goals.

Barbara Velik-Frank will also work in several important bodies of the diocese: she is a member of the Consistory board, the Ordinariate Conference and the Diocesan Council. Her academic qualifications in Catholic specialist theology and her work in international development cooperation ensure that she can tackle the challenges of her new role with expertise and commitment. Their encouraging approach in an area that has often increased traditions could open up new ways for the future of the church in Carinthia.