Evangelical Lutheran Church in Austria Before Premiere

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Austria is expected to elect its first female bishop on Friday. Nominated is Cornelia Richter (54), a theology professor from Bad Goisern who currently teaches at the University of Bonn. The synod will take place in an evangelical high school in Vienna-Donaustadt, with a total of 70 delegates eligible to vote. Richter is set to replace the current bishop, Michael Chalupka, who will retire at the end of this year.

Richter would create a first

A two-thirds majority of the votes is required for a valid election. Prior to this, the seven superintendency assemblies, where delegates from the parishes of each diocese come together, have discussed and decided on the nominations. The bishop is elected for a term of twelve years, with the term starting on January 1, 2026. If elected, Cornelia Richter would be the first female bishop in the history of the Evangelical Church A.B. in Austria.

Before the first round of voting, Richter will introduce herself to the delegates, and a detailed hearing has already taken place. Born in Upper Austria on September 3, 1970, she is also a volunteer pastor. From 2020 to 2024, she was the first dean of the Evangelical-Theological Faculty, and since 2024, she has been the first female chair of the Senate of the University of Bonn. In addition to her current theological-dogmatic work focuses, Richter is an expert in the interdisciplinary field of resilience research.

Change in the Evangelical Church A.B.: Retirement for Chalupka

Chalupka has been the bishop of the Evangelical Church A.B. since September 2019 and must retire due to age - he will turn 65 on July 21. The former director of the aid organization Diakonie has already spoken several times in favor of a woman at the top.

In Austria, unlike in Germany, there is only one Evangelical Lutheran bishop. The individual dioceses are led by superintendents. These positions have also been held by women. In Burgenland, for example, this was Gertraud Knoll, who also made a name for herself due to her later political engagement. In the joint diocese of Salzburg and Tyrol, Luise Müller was a superintendent.

The evangelical parishes in Vorarlberg belong to the Evangelical Reformed Church (Helvetic Confession or H.B.). This is led by a state superintendent, currently Ralf Stoffers. Together, the two Evangelical Churches A.B. and H.B. meet in the General Synod, which also convenes in Vienna on Saturday.

(APA/Red)

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