His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe, attended the enthronement ceremony of the new Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Vienna, Josef Grünwidl, on Saturday.
The installation took place at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the Austrian capital, in the presence of around 3,000 people. The ordination and installation service was presided over by Christoph Schönborn, the emeritus Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Vienna.
The delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe, also included Vicar Fr. Nicolae Dura, Counsellor Fr. Emanuel Nuțu, and Dean Fr. Ioan Moga.
In his speech, the newly installed Roman Catholic Archbishop emphasised the importance of bringing the Church closer to people, fostering sincere dialogue, and exercising pastoral responsibility in a society undergoing constant change and facing multiple spiritual and social challenges.
Archbishop Josef Grünwidl
Archbishop Josef Grünwidl was born on January 31, 1963, in Hollabrunn, Lower Austria. He studied philosophy and theology at the University of Vienna and also pursued musical studies, specialising in organ performance.
Ordained a priest in 1988, he has served in several parishes and held key administrative roles within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna, including episcopal vicar and president of the Presbyteral Council.
Following the retirement of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn in January 2025, Josef Grünwidl was appointed apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Vienna. On October 17, 2025, he was appointed Archbishop Metropolitan of Vienna by Pope Leo XIV, a decision welcomed by Metropolitan Serafim.
Photo: Erzdiözese Wien
