Bishops’ Conference General Assembly Convenes in Vienna for Strategic Discussions and Policy Development

Austrian Bishops Convene in Vienna with New Leadership and High-Level Meetings

Vienna, Austria – November 4, 2025 – The Austrian Bishops’ Conference commenced its autumn general assembly yesterday in Vienna, marking the first meeting with newly appointed Archbishop of Vienna, josef Grünwidl. The four-day assembly, chaired by Archbishop Franz Lackner, began with a prayer to the Holy Spirit at the Focolare Movement’s conference center.

Archbishop Lackner formally welcomed Archbishop Grünwidl, presenting him with a glass cross – a replica of the one displayed in the Bishops’ Conference’s meeting room – on behalf of the assembled bishops.

The conference agenda is packed with notable encounters and dialogues.Monday evening saw a reception hosted by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana. Today, the bishops will meet with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen at the Hofburg Palace, continuing a tradition of engagement established in 2017, 2019, and 2023.

Further strengthening ties within the Austrian community, the bishops will engage in discussions with leaders from diocesan Caritas organizations at the Archbishop’s Palace. Wednesday’s schedule includes a meeting with representatives from Oriental Orthodox churches, notably featuring Armenian Apostolic bishop Tiran Petrosyan, recently re-elected as chairman of the World Council of Churches in Austria (ÖRKÖ).

A central liturgical event will take place Tuesday evening at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, with Archbishop Lackner presiding over a service open to all parishioners. Bishop Manfred Scheuer of Linz will deliver the homily.

Archbishop Lackner is scheduled to present the outcomes of the Bishops’ Conference at a press conference on Friday, November 7th, at 10:00 AM at Club Stephansplatz 4, 1010 Vienna.

High-resolution images from the conference will be available for download at www.kathpress.at/foto. More information can be found on the Austrian bishops’ Conference website: www.bischofskonferenz.at.

How might the Bishops’ Conference leverage social media platforms, beyond basic outreach, to foster deeper faith formation and address the identified challenges of misinformation?

Bishops’ Conference General Assembly Convenes in Vienna for Strategic Discussions and Policy Advancement

Key Agenda Items & Focus Areas

The annual General Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference, currently underway in Vienna, Austria, is tackling a range of critical issues facing the Catholic Church and broader society. This year’s assembly, running from November 1st to November 7th, 2025, centers around three primary themes: evolving pastoral care in a digital age, the ongoing refugee crisis and humanitarian response, and the implementation of recent synodal recommendations. These discussions are crucial for shaping future church policy and addressing contemporary challenges.

Digital Evangelization & Pastoral Challenges

A significant portion of the assembly is dedicated to exploring the opportunities and risks presented by the increasing digitalization of society. key discussion points include:

* Cybersecurity for Church Institutions: Protecting sensitive data and preventing cyberattacks on dioceses and parishes.

* Social Media & Faith Formation: Utilizing platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram for effective catechesis and outreach.

* Online Liturgy & Virtual Community: The role of livestreamed Masses and online faith communities, particularly for those unable to attend in person.

* Addressing misinformation & online Harassment: Strategies for combating false narratives and protecting clergy and lay faithful from online abuse. This includes exploring best practices in digital reputation management.

* Ethical Considerations of AI: Examining the implications of artificial intelligence for pastoral care, education, and church administration.

This focus reflects a growing recognition that the Church must actively engage with the digital world to remain relevant and effective in its mission. The term “digital ministry” is frequently used in assembly discussions.

Humanitarian Response & the Refugee crisis

The escalating global refugee crisis remains a central concern. Bishops are sharing experiences from their dioceses and collaborating on strategies to provide complete support to migrants and refugees. Discussions are centered on:

1. Advocacy for Just Immigration Policies: Lobbying governments for humane and equitable immigration laws.
2. Providing Shelter & Basic Needs: Coordinating efforts to offer housing, food, and medical care to asylum seekers.
3. Integration & Language support: Facilitating the integration of refugees into local communities through language classes and job training programs.
4. Combating Xenophobia & Discrimination: Promoting understanding and acceptance of migrants and refugees.
5. Interfaith Collaboration: Working with other religious organizations to provide a unified and effective response to the crisis.

The assembly is also addressing the specific needs of Ukrainian refugees following the ongoing conflict, with several bishops detailing the challenges and successes of their local support networks. The concept of “welcoming the stranger” is a recurring theme.

Implementing Synodal Recommendations

Following the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality in October 2024, the Bishops’ Conference is now focused on implementing the recommendations that were approved.This is proving to be a complex process, requiring careful consideration of local contexts and sensitivities. Key areas of implementation include:

* Increased Lay Participation in Church Governance: Exploring ways to involve lay faithful more actively in decision-making processes at all levels of the Church.

* Promoting Women’s Leadership: Identifying and supporting women for leadership roles within the church.

* Reviewing Seminary Formation: Adapting seminary curricula to better prepare future priests for the challenges of ministry in the 21st century.

* Enhancing Dialogue with Marginalized Groups: Reaching out to and engaging with communities that have historically been excluded from the Church.

* Strengthening Parish Pastoral Councils: Empowering parish pastoral councils to play a more significant role in the life of the parish.

The implementation process is being approached with a spirit of discernment and collaboration, recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Regional Perspectives & National Reports

Each national Bishops’ Conference is presenting a report outlining the challenges and opportunities facing the Church in their respective countries. These reports provide valuable insights into the diverse realities of the Catholic Church around the world.Common themes emerging from these reports include:

* Declining Church Attendance: Many countries are experiencing a decline in Mass attendance, particularly among young people.

* Priest Shortages: A growing number of dioceses are facing a shortage of priests.

* Religious Freedom Concerns: Several bishops raised concerns about restrictions on religious freedom in their countries.

* The Impact of Secularization: The increasing secularization of society is posing a challenge to the Church’s ability to transmit its faith.

* Financial Sustainability: Ensuring the financial sustainability of dioceses and parishes is a growing concern.

benefits of the General Assembly

The annual General Assembly serves several crucial functions:

* Strategic Alignment: It allows bishops from around the world to align their strategies and coordinate their efforts on key issues.

* Mutual Support: It provides a forum for bishops to share experiences,offer mutual support,and learn from one another.

* Policy Development: It facilitates the development of coherent and effective policies to address the challenges facing the Church.

* Strengthening Communion: It strengthens the sense of communion among bishops and fosters a spirit of collaboration.

* Global Advocacy: It provides a platform for the Church to advocate for its values and priorities on the global stage.

Case study: German Synodal Path & International