Eder-Cakl succeeds Walter Krieger, who is retiring. The Pastoral Institute is a specialized agency of the Bishops’ Conference for pastoral care, catechesis and evangelization. It provides advice to bishops and dioceses regarding the updating of pastoral care and helps shape the development of pastoral care in Austria. Bishop Josef Marketz (Gurk-Klagenfurt) is the bishop in charge of the pastoral department.
With the decision on personnel for Eder-Cakl taken by the Bishops’ Conference during the autumn plenary meeting in Michaelbeuern Abbey, pastoral care in Austria can increasingly rely on women’s experience: Upper Austria will work closely with the Pastoral Commission under the executive president Anna Findl-Ludescher and with the working group of pastoral and ministry leaders with the president Lucia Greiner.
In his statement, Eder-Cakl recognized cooperation beyond diocesan borders: “I am convinced that today many issues can only be addressed together with all Austrian dioceses and ecclesiastical institutions”. For the crucial question “How does it work today to be a Christian?” it is important to combine current religious-sociological discoveries with pastoral care. The expert is convinced that the Christian faith has many opportunities despite the great institutional skepticism: “People want guidance and help in times of crisis. The fundamental social mission of the Catholic Church must be evident and effective. Spiritual depth and openness. heaven can give meaning and stability to people today “.
Eder-Cakl also hopes for impulses from the synodal process at the local and world church level: “Inclusion is the topic of the moment, both in society and in the church. As a church, it is important to involve people honestly and consistently. ” This also means “that the church will find ways to allow women full participation at all levels of the church or not to exclude LGBTIQ people and people with different forms of life and family”.
Eder-Cakl also sees one of his future main tasks in the ÖPI in accompanying the synodal process that has begun. The project at the Austrian level “Think of yourself new” on the ecclesial relationship of young adults, as well as other pastoral activities at the Austrian level, would occupy the pastoral institute, the voices of those involved at the parish level and in the pastoral centers that Eder-Cakl wants to take better account of the broader level. The annual pastoral conference at the beginning of January remains very important for the Austrian Pastoral Institute to bring together the theory and practice of pastoral care today: the next one will be held from 12 to 14 January 2023 with the title “Be present. Ways to a pastoral of quality “in Salzburg / St. Virgilio happens.
Theologian, Manager, Communicator
Born in Linz, Gabriele Eder-Cakl (52) studied theology in Salzburg and Tübingen and completed his management training in Innsbruck. He has worked as a teacher of religion, pastoral assistant, freelance for the ORF and since 2004 for ten years in the media work of the diocese of Linz – since 2014 as head of the diocesan office for communications. In 2015 Eder-Cakl moved to the “House of Women” training center of the Catholic women’s movement. Since 2017 she was the first woman to lead the pastoral office of the diocese of Linz and the future diocesan process “Thinking the Church Wide”, in which thematic priorities and new (parish) structures were developed. Eder-Cakl is also the diocesan referent for the world synodal process. More recently, you have directed the announcement and communication area in the new structure of diocesan services. Eder-Cakl is married and has three daughters.
Gabriele Eder-Cakl becomes the new director of the Austrian Pastoral Institute.
© Violetta Wakolbinger
(be), published 11.11.2022
