Multiple Rejections from Candidates for Schönborn Successor
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn could retire as Archbishop of Vienna on Wednesday. There is a high chance that Pope Francis will accept his resignation on his 80th birthday.
Schönborn Could Retire as Vienna's Archbishop on Wednesday
However, it is questionable whether a successor will be determined by then. The search is proving difficult: According to reports, several candidates who were included in the tripartite proposal of the Nunciature in Austria have already declined.
Schönborn has just been bid farewell as Archbishop of Vienna with a large thanksgiving service on Saturday. He had already offered his resignation to the Pope at the beginning of 2020 - but was not heard for a long time. The Vatican extended Schönborn's term indefinitely. Now, however, the signs are definitely pointing towards retirement. The exact day when Schönborn's resignation will be accepted is not officially confirmed.
Succession Still Unclear, Sedis Vacancy Possible
It is even more unclear when Schönborn's successor will be determined. In a tripartite proposal by the Nuncio, the names of the Diocesan Bishop of Innsbruck, Hermann Glettler, the former President of Caritas Austria, Michael Landau, and the Rector of the Pontifical Athenaeum College in Rome, Bernhard Eckerstorfer, were mentioned. Landau is said to have declined, as is allegedly Eckerstorfer.
If no new Archbishop of Vienna is determined even after Schönborn's resignation, a so-called Sedis vacancy occurs. Then the highest-ranking auxiliary bishop in the archdiocese temporarily takes over the duties. In this case, it would be Franz Scharl. Subsequently, the cathedral chapter would have to appoint a diocesan administrator. A new bishop is officially confirmed with the announcement in the papal Bollettino.
The federal government will be informed earlier about the appointment of a new Archbishop of Vienna. It must not have any objections to a candidate.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.