Belgrade Archbishop Nemet: A bridge builder between East and West

Belgrade Archbishop Nemet: A bridge builder between East and West

Vienna/Belgrade/Rome, 07.10.2024 (Cape) - The Pope appointed 21 new cardinals on Sunday, including the Belgrader Archbishop Ladislav Nemet. The 68-year-old has a special connection to Austria, where he played an important role in the Catholic community in the past. Nemet served as a chaplain in Lower Austria and was a professor at the Philosophical theological University of St. Gabriel near Vienna.

In the 1990s, Nemet was part of the Austrian province of Steyler missionaries before returning to Hungary and finally to Serbia. This return marked a significant change in his career because he worked there as a Bishop of Zrenjanin. The Belgrade Archbishop is considered to be well connected internationally; His experiences make him a key figure in the dialogue between the Catholic Church in Europe.

a committed church leader

Ladislav Nemet not only focused on theological teaching, but also actively worked on the promotion of the synodal process within the church. He was instrumental in a workshop that took place in Linz a few weeks ago. "Synodity is not a moment, but a process," he said in an interview with Kathpress. Nemet emphasized that developments required time and patience.

He is a regular guest in Austria and most recently celebrated the Martinsfest in Eisenstadt. He took the opportunity to point out the challenges of the EU and to criticize the risk of isolation within the member states.

nemet was born on September 7, 1956 in Odzaci, Serbia, and grew up in Subotica. After his ordination in 1983 and a doctorate in Rome, he passed on his knowledge as a missionary in the Philippines. Between 1994 and 2004 he was active in Austria and supported pastoral care in the parish of Maria Enzersdorf.

After his time in Austria, his path led him back to Serbia via Hungary. There he became Pope Benedict XVI in 2008. appointed bishop. Nemet also served as Secretary General of the Hungarian Bishops 'Conference and has been Vice President of the Council of the European Bishops' Conferences since 2021.

The upcoming appointment as Cardinal on December 8th causes excitement in Serbia. High-ranking personalities, including President Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Porfirije, have already congratulated Nemet. The archbishop is currently participating in the synod meeting in Rome, which further underlines his close connection to the leadership of the Catholic Church.