New Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Freitag: solemn consecration in the Graz Cathedral!

New Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Freitag: solemn consecration in the Graz Cathedral!

Graz, Österreich - On May 1, 2025, Johannes Freitag was consecrated in the Graz Cathedral for the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Graz-Seckau. The ceremonial ceremony, which was led by diocesan bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl, Archbishop Franz Lackner and military bishop Werner Freistetter, attracted around 1,200 believers and guests. Among those present also included the Apostolic Administrator Josef Grünwidl and the emeritated Styrian diocesan bishop Egon Kapellari and Linus Seong-Hyo Lee, Bishop of the Graz partner diocese of Masan. The motto of the new auxiliary bishop is: "The joy of the Lord is your strength".

The appointment of Johannes Freitag was announced by Pope Francis and marks a significant return because the office of auxiliary bishop has been vacant for twelve years. The last owner of the office, Franz Lackner, took over the diocese of Salzburg in 2013. Diocesan bishop Krautwaschl had stimulated a successor in the Vatican who could deepen the synodal alignment of the diocese and promote the exchange with people. Friday will accompany and support the priests, deacons and full-time agents of the diocese, as katholisch.at reports.

clerical career and preparation for the new office

Johannes Freitag was born in Knittelfeld in 1972 and joined the seminar of the Diocese of Graz-Seckau in 1992. He completed his theology studies at the Catholic-Theological Faculty of the University of Graz. On December 12, 1999, he was ordained a deacon in the Graz Cathedral and on June 25, 2000. Friday worked as a chaplain in various parishes in the Styrian area before becoming the pastor of the parish association Trofaiach-Vorernberg-St. Peter-Freienstein in 2006. Since 2023 he has headed the pastoral space "on the Eisenstrasse" and worked as a military pastor and as a representative for radio services.

With his appointment as auxiliary bishop, the 15th active bishop in Austria becomes on Friday. He expressed the desire to listen to people and to convey joy in faith. When the apostolic nuncio in Austria, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, on Friday, thought of a joke, but decided to accept the offer after a personal conversation. This shows the hope that is associated with his appointment, as the press reports.

A look into the future

The diocese of Graz-Seckau hopes from Friedeberg's taking office to strengthen the synodal orientation and a more intensive accompaniment of your community. Diocesan bishop Krautwaschl was pleased with the appointment and described Friday as a popular and competent priest who was willing to take on and continue the necessary tasks in the diocese.

The consecration of Johannes Freitag not only marks a new section in his own career, but also an important moment in the history of the Diocese of Graz-Seckau, which can look forward to a committed and dynamic auxiliary bishop.