Michael Landau will step down as president of Caritas Austria. He announced this on Saturday afternoon in the Ö1 “Mittagsjournal”. The priest has held the office for ten years.
The announcement came as a surprise to everyone. Three days before Caritas’ general meeting, Landau made public his decision, which was in preparation. Only a very small circle was inaugurated.
This means that the four-member board of the country’s largest aid organization will receive a new base next Tuesday.
Is there a woman at the top?
It is unclear who will succeed Landau. Under Landau’s leadership, Caritas has become more feminine in recent years, for example with Anna Parr, who moved from the Vinzenz Group to Caritas Austria in June and is now general secretary. So it would not be a surprise if one of the three state directors (Tyrol, Styria, Burgenland) were to succeed Landau.
Landau has also been chairman of Caritas Europa since 2020, and he will retain this position – he is elected until 2027.
Repeatedly mentioned for cardinal awards
Landau is repeatedly mentioned – alongside Archbishop Franz Lackner of Salzburg and Bishop Hermann Glettler of Innsbruck – as a possible successor to Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, even though he does not see himself there. Schönborn submitted his resignation to the Pope in 2020 – when he reached the official retirement age. However, Pope Francis will keep him in office for the time being and indefinitely.
You can read the big interview with Michael Landau on Sunday in the “Krone” – and for digital subscribers you can read a long version on KronePLUS on Saturday evening.
Source: Krone
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