Continue Waiting for Schönborn's Successor

Schönborn's resignation was accepted by the Vatican on January 22, his 80th birthday. Since then, Josef Grünwidl has been leading the Archdiocese as Apostolic Administrator.

Pope Capable of Decision-Making

The ailing Pope is evidently still capable of making decisions. Almost daily, he appoints more bishops, most recently in India, as can be seen from the official "Bollettino" of the Vatican. A preliminary decision on who is eligible for the office is made by the Dicastery for Bishops, which in turn follows a list of three candidates proposed by the Nunciature in Austria, the Vatican's embassy in the country.

If the Pope decides against a candidate or if one declines, the process starts all over again. Currently, there is only speculation as to why a decision on the future of the Archdiocese of Vienna has not yet been made. In Austria, a quick decision was actually expected, and the appointment of an administrator was interpreted as a sign in that direction.

Approval from the Council of Ministers

A significant task in the appointment of the new Archbishop also falls to the newly sworn-in government. Usually, the Council of Ministers must give the green light before the appointment due to the Concordat. Reportedly, this has not yet happened. The spring plenary assembly of the Bishops' Conference at the Archabbey of Pannonhalma in Hungary in mid-March will most likely take place without a new Archbishop of Vienna.

(APA/Red)

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