New Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Freitag consecrated in Graz Cathedral!

New Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Freitag consecrated in Graz Cathedral!

On May 1, 2025, Johannes Freitag, 52 years old, was ordained auxiliary bishop in Graz Cathedral. The ceremony was led by the Graz diocesan bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl, supported by Salzburg Archbishop Franz Lackner and military bishop Werner Freistetter. Over a dozen bishops and more than a hundred priests from the diocese of Graz-Seckau as well as various Styrian religious communities were welcomed at this solemn installation. Numerous representatives from politics and society were also present, which underlined the importance of this event. OTS reports.

The consecration took place as part of a liturgy in which the laying on of hands - an essential part of the apostolic succession - played a central role. In his homily, Bishop Krautwaschl encouraged the church to move forward together, as Pope Francis said. In the future, Freitag will work as “Episcopal Vicar for Synodality” and carries the episcopal motto “The joy of the Lord is your strength,” taken from the book of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8:10). This illustrates Freitag's goal to spread the joy and strength of faith in his new role. NÖN continues.

A new auxiliary bishop for Styria

Johannes Freitag, the 15th active bishop in Austria, explained after the appointment that it initially came as a surprise to him. He did not expect to be appointed auxiliary bishop and initially thought it was a joke. The appointment came at the request of Bishop Krautwaschl, who was looking for support for increased exchange with the community. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana had sought suitable candidates, and Pope Francis ultimately blessed Friday's appointment. Katholisch.at added.

Freitag was born in Knittelfeld in 1972 and baptized in the Lind parish church. His priestly career began in 1999 as a deacon, followed by ordination to the priesthood in 2000. His previous positions include work as a chaplain and pastor as well as as head of the pastoral care room “An der Eisenstraße”. He was also a military chaplain and accompanied radio and television broadcasts of church services. It is worth noting that Freitag also has an MBA degree from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and has served in various church positions over the years, including as pastoral director. NÖN offers more background information.

Celebrations and musical accompaniment

The consecration ceremony, which began at 10 a.m., was broadcast live on ORF III and Radio Maria. The musical accompaniment was provided by Dommusik Graz under the direction of Melissa Dermastia. The highlights of the ceremony were the presentation of the episcopal insignia, which was designed by the sculptor Manuel Egger-Budemair. Among the insignia presented was the bishop's ring, which was presented by Caritas President Nora Tödtling-Musenbichler, and the bishop's crosier, which was presented by Vicar Mathew Joseph. The miter was received Friday from a representative of the synodal process in the Graz-Seckau diocese. Katholisch.at documents the course of the celebrations.

The episcopal ordination took place not only on a symbolic date, the consecration day of the Graz Cathedral, but also in front of an almost full audience, as only a few seats were available in the cathedral and the neighboring mausoleum. Registered guests were invited to take part in an agape in the courtyard of the seminary, which strengthened community and exchange in the spirit of celebration.