On the 70th: Numerous congratulations for Military Bishop Freistetter

2023-10-24 17:18:54

“Festival of military pastoral care” in the Vienna Military History Museum on the 70th birthday of Bishop Freistetter – Minister Tanner: Freistetter “important personality” in the Catholic Church, but also a “real shepherd for the armed forces” – Bishop Schwarz: Freistetter “deep thinker”, with ability to “spell theology”

Vienna (KAP) – The Austrian Armed Forces and the Catholic military chaplaincy honored the work of military bishop Werner Freistetter with a ceremony. The reason for the celebration on Tuesday in the Hall of Fame of the Vienna Military History Museum was the bishop’s 70th birthday, which was attended by numerous officials from the church, military and state. On the political side, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) praised Freistetter’s work as an “important personality in the Catholic Church”, but also a “real shepherd for the armed forces”.

It was always Freistetter’s concern to look after soldiers humanely and morally, even in difficult times, said the minister. The politician was convinced that pastoral care is an “incredibly important task when it comes to mental challenges and ethical questions.” “Military chaplaincy is the church among soldiers,” the jubilee found these apt words to describe the work of army chaplains. Six military pastoral care organizations, in addition to the Catholic ones, also the Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim and Alevi, worked together “excellently” in the Federal Army, said the minister. She was convinced that Freistetter played a “significant part” in this.

As a representative of the Austrian episcopate, the St. Pölten diocesan bishop Alois Schwarz gave a speech and conveyed congratulations and blessings. Schwarz praised his fellow bishop, whom he has known since they spent time together in the seminary, as a “profound thinker” whose seriousness in his calling was always noticeable. Schwarz was impressed when Freistetter worked as a military chaplain in crisis and war zones, such as the Golan, Lebanon, Bosnia and Kosovo.

Schwarz praised Freistetter as someone who sought peace “in an unobtrusive, reliable way.” His ability to “spell theology” makes him a reliable, sought-after conversation partner. In the bishops’ conference, Freistetter is “someone who is reliable and attentive to the universal church.” He brings in theological perspectives with great care. Ultimately, Freistetter is a bishop about whom the soldiers say, “he is our shepherd,” Schwarz concluded.

Use of military chaplaincy “immensely important”

The Chief of the General Staff of the Austrian Armed Forces, Rudolf Striedinger, thanked Bishop Freistetter for his prudent leadership of the military pastoral care. This is “immensely important” for the army, said the Chief of General Staff. “A military chaplain has insights into the psychological state of the military like no other,” said Striedinger with conviction. Even “seasoned colonels” would seek the advice of pastors during deployment. Military pastoral care is an essential tool for finding out how the soldiers are really doing.

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