Cornelia Richter: The first bishop in Austria relies on community and dialogue

Cornelia Richter: The first bishop in Austria relies on community and dialogue

Wien-Donaustadt, Österreich - A historical moment for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Austria: Cornelia Richter is the first bishop to take up its office on January 1, 2026. The 54-year-old, who grew up in Bad Goisern in the Salzkammergut, was elected on May 24, 2025 by the Synod in Vienna with an overwhelming majority-64 out of 68 votes spoke out for her. She succeeds Michael Chalupka, who will retire after six years. Chalupka, who will soon be 65 years old, led the church challenges at a time and will now enjoy its well -deserved retirement. This reports Puls24.

Richter is not only the first woman in this position, but also brings an impressive academic career. She studied theology in Vienna and Munich and was a professor of systematic theology at the University of Bonn from 2012 to 2020. Since 2020 she has been teaching dogmatics and philosophy of religion. In addition, she held various leading positions, such as that of the co-director at the Bonn Institute for Hermeneutics and the first dean of the Evangelical theological Faculty from 2020 to 2024. evangelisch.de has also emphasized that she has also been the first woman since 2024 to the senate of the University of Bonn since 2024 Insähat.

community and commitment in the focus

It is crucial for judges that the church supports socially disadvantaged people. Your approach is characterized by humility and a cooperative style of office. She wants to travel through the communities during her term and underlines the importance of community within the church. In addition, she plans to work as a holiday to reintroduce the Good Friday. The Evangelical Church A.B. In Austria, only over 237,000 members have, but represents an important voice within society. Judge describes the younger generation as a source of hope and inspiration for the Evangelical Church, which she always emphasizes in her statements. evang.at reports on your vision for a modern and community-oriented understanding of office.

With these plans and their commitment to interreligious dialogue, Richter wants to not only strengthen the Protestant community, but also prominently represented the voice of the Evangelical Christianity in Austria. The way to the first bishop in Austria is an important step that is given both national and international attention. For many, especially for the Protestant Christians in Austria, this is a reason for joy and hope.