New Vienna Archbishop Grünwidl Announces Key Appointments: Kager & Kaiser

Significant leadership changes are underway within the Archdiocese of Vienna. Archbishop Josef Grünwidl announced two key appointments on Wednesday, reshaping the leadership structure of the region’s Catholic community. These changes involve the roles of both Vicar and General Vicar, impacting the administration and pastoral care of nearly 280,000 Catholics.

New Leadership Appointments

Effective February 1st, Richard Kager, currently the parish priest and dean of Perchtoldsdorf, will assume the role of Episcopal Vicar for the Vicariate Under the Vienna Woods (Vicariate South). This appointment places Kager directly in the position previously held by Archbishop Grünwidl. Additionally, Andreas Kaiser, presently the parish priest and dean of Stockerau and chairman of the diocesan priests’ council, will become the new General Vicar on September 1st, succeeding Nikolaus Krasa.

Did You Know? Nikolaus Krasa is the longest-serving General Vicar in the Archdiocese of Vienna in over 70 years, having held the position for more than 15 years.

The Vicariate Under the Vienna Woods

The Vicariate Under the Vienna Woods encompasses the southern part of the Archdiocese of Vienna, lying entirely within the state of Lower Austria. It comprises approximately 200 parishes. The Archdiocese also includes the city of Vienna plus Klosterneuburg, and the Vicariate Under the Manhartsberg, formed by the Weinviertel and Marchfeld regions.

Richard Kager’s Background

Richard Kager, 57, brings a deep connection to the region to his new role. He was raised on his family’s farm in Tauchen am Wechsel, Lower Austria, as the youngest of six children. He was ordained a priest in 1994 after studies in Vienna, Würzburg, and Fribourg, where he earned a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology in 2004 and served as an assistant. From 2004 to 2006, he acted as the theological advisor to Cardinal Schönborn.

Prior to his current position overseeing the pastoral care area of Föhrenberge – encompassing the parishes of Perchtoldsdorf, Gießhübl, and Kaltenleutgeben – Kager served in Neuottakring, Perchtoldsdorf, and Ober St. Veit. He will continue to serve as a parish priest in these communities alongside his new responsibilities as Episcopal Vicar, stating, “There is where my priestly heart beats, there I experience the Church in its diversity and vitality in the midst of people’s everyday lives.”

Selection Process and Response

Archbishop Grünwidl initiated consultations with deans and vicariate councils to identify a suitable candidate for the Vicar position. According to the Archbishop, Richard Kager’s name was frequently mentioned. “I appreciate him, I wanted him as my successor as pastor of Perchtoldsdorf, and he is also my desired candidate as Episcopal Vicar,” Grünwidl stated. Kager himself expressed surprise at the appointment but accepted it “in humility and with gratitude for the great trust placed in me by our new Archbishop Josef and my deans and vicariate councils.”

Expert Insight: The Archbishop’s direct consultation with deans and vicariate councils suggests a deliberate effort to ensure buy-in and continuity in the leadership transition, potentially minimizing disruption within the affected parishes.

New General Vicar Appointed

Andreas Kaiser will take over the role of General Vicar from Nikolaus Krasa on September 1st. The General Vicar is responsible for the administration of the diocese and its extensive staff of 2,000 clerics and lay employees, acting as the Bishop’s deputy and “alter ego” in managing diocesan affairs.

Currently, Kaiser serves as the pastor of the parish association Am Jakobsweg-Weinviertel, which includes Hausleiten, Stockerau, Leitzersdorf, Haselbach, and Niederhollabrunn, and has been the chairman of the diocesan priests’ council since 2023. He will relinquish leadership of the parish association on September 1, 2026, with a search for a successor beginning soon. Archbishop Grünwidl announced the appointment early to allow for a transition period.

Born in 1972, Kaiser grew up in Reichenau an der Rax. He studied forestry before entering the Vienna seminary, being ordained a priest in 2006. He later earned a doctorate in theology, specializing in liturgy. His pastoral assignments have included the Vienna Cathedral parish and parishes in Cyrill & Method and Zellerndorf, before becoming pastor in Ober St. Veit in 2009. He also teaches Catholic religion in elementary schools.

Kaiser expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I look forward to the tasks and opportunities that this new office makes possible. Above all, I look forward to working with Archbishop Josef to support him in his service with my abilities.”

Krasa’s Departure

Nikolaus Krasa, who has served as General Vicar for over 15 years, expressed his satisfaction with handing over the role to a younger successor, noting that his colleagues are already retired. Archbishop Grünwidl praised Krasa for skillfully continuing the renewal process initiated by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of an Episcopal Vicar?

An Episcopal Vicar is a bishop’s representative in a specific geographic area or for a particular group of people within the diocese. They assist the bishop in overseeing the pastoral and administrative needs of their designated region.

What are the primary responsibilities of the General Vicar?

The General Vicar manages the administration of the diocese and its large staff, acting as the Bishop’s deputy in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the archdiocese.

When will Andreas Kaiser officially begin his duties as General Vicar?

Andreas Kaiser will officially assume the role of General Vicar on September 1st.

As these new leaders prepare to take on their roles, the Archdiocese of Vienna enters a period of transition. It remains to be seen how these changes will shape the future direction of the Catholic community in the region.