Benno Elbs

Bishop Benno Elbs

Bishop's coat of arms from Benno Elbs

Benno Elbs (born October 16, 1960 in Bregenz ) is the Roman Catholic Bishop of Feldkirch .

Life

After graduating from the Federal High School in Bregenz , Elbs studied Catholic theology at the University of Innsbruck , and from 1982 also psychology . He graduated with a diploma in logotherapy and is a trained psychotherapist . After being ordained a priest on May 16, 1986 by Bishop Bruno Wechner , he was chaplain at the Mariahilf parish in Bregenz for three years . In 1986 he received his doctorate in theology with a dissertation on the sacrament of penance . In 1989 he was appointed spiritual director of the Marianum boarding school in Bregenz, and a year later its rector. From 1994 Elbs headed the pastoral office of the diocese of Feldkirch. In 2005, Bishop Elmar Fischer appointed him vicar general . After Fischer resigned as diocesan bishop, Benno Elbs was elected diocesan administrator in 2011. On May 8, 2013, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Feldkirch. The episcopal ordination took place on June 30, 2013 by Alois Kothgasser , the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Salzburg . Co- consecrators were Christoph Cardinal Schönborn , Archbishop of Vienna , and his predecessor Elmar Fischer.

Its motto is Committe domino viam tuam (Commit your way to the Lord and trust him; he will add it) and is taken from Psalm 37.5  EU .

In the Austrian Bishops' Conference , Elbs has been responsible for Caritas since March 11, 2016 , previously he was responsible for the world religions and lay theologians. He was the representative of the Austrian Bishops' Conference at the Family Synod in Rome in October 2015. Since February 2019, Elbs has been responsible for the overall topic of "victim protection" and also chairs the newly created advisory board of the Bishops' Conference for this area. This advisory board has the task of advising the bishops' conference on questions of prevention, measures and regulations for and against violence and abuse in the church sector.

Important concerns are for him as a church "to heal wounds and warm souls" (Pope Francis), the existence for people on the margins in our societies as well as globally, for people on the run, the protection of life and the environment as a whole Promoting the family, striving for peace and togetherness, especially through dialogue between religions. In May 2019, Elbs spoke out in favor of the admission of married priests alongside celibate priests to the Roman Catholic Church.

Fonts (selection)

• Tailwind: Strengthened into adventure life. Tyrolia Verlag, Innsbruck 2018. ISBN 978-3702236458
• Where the soul learns to breathe. A new look at marriage and family with Pope Francis. Styria Verlag, Vienna-Graz-Klagenfurt 2016. ISBN 978-3222135415
• In the smell of the sheep's stable. Ways of pastoral work in the 3rd millennium. Styria Verlag, Vienna-Graz-Klagenfurt 2014. ISBN 978-3222134623
• Like a gentle touch. God's footsteps in everyday life. A spiritual companion through the year. Tyrolia Verlag, Innsbruck 2014. ISBN 978-3702233983
• Penitential education and religious instruction. A critical analysis of current teaching materials and catechetical / religious pedagogical aspects of a responsible practice. Innsbruck 1986, (Thesis: Innsbruck, Univ., Theolog. Diss.)

Web links

• Benno Elbs on the website of the Diocese of Feldkirch
• Entry on Benno Elbs on catholic-hierarchy.org ; accessed on July 16, 2015.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Hannes Mäser: Prelate Dr. Benno Elbs elected diocesan administrator. In: Website of the Diocese of Feldkirch from November 16, 2011.
2. ↑ Vatican Radio (kna, pr): Austria: New Bishop of Feldkirch. from July 1, 2013.
3. ↑ Bishop sees power shift in Rome. in ORF Radio Vorarlberg on October 27, 2015.
4. ↑ Simone Rinner: Synod Highlights. In: Website of the Diocese of Feldkirch from October 27, 2015.
5. ^ Jutta Berger: Bishop Benno Elbs: clean up or close the Vatican Bank. In: derStandard.at of August 1, 2013.
6. ↑ Dietmar Neuwirth: Bishop Elbs: Church should take off moral glasses. In: Die Presse from December 23, 2013.
7. ↑ "Of angels with and without wings". In the series Focus - Topics for Life In: ORF Radio Vorarlberg from December 20, 2014.
8. ↑ Simone Rinner: The doors that we open today. In: Website of the Diocese of Feldkirch from February 26, 2015.
9. ↑ Marianne Springer: The treasures of religions. In: Website of the Diocese of Feldkirch from May 28, 2015.
10. ↑ Katholisch.de: Austria: Bishop speaks out for Viri probati and deaconesses

predecessor	Office	successor
Elmar Fischer	Bishop of Feldkirch since 2013	...