For the Austrian Bishops’ Conference it is a signal for more women in church leadership positions. As head of the Austrian Pastoral Institute, Gabriele Eder-Cakl advises the bishops and dioceses on state-of-the-art pastoral care and helps shape the development of pastoral care in Austria.
People want orientation
Eder-Cakl is convinced that the Christian faith has many opportunities despite great institutional skepticism: “People want guidance and help in times of crisis. The basic social mission of the Catholic Church should be noticeable and effective. The spiritual depth and openness to heaven can give people meaning and stability today.” She hopes to get impetus from the synodal process, which she sees as one of her future tasks.
Rich experience
The 52-year-old was born in Linz and studied theology in Salzburg and Tübingen. She worked as a religion teacher, pastoral assistant, freelancer for the ORF and from 2004 for ten years in the media work of the Diocese of Linz – from 2014 as head of the diocesanen communications offices. In 2015, Eder-Cakl moved to the “House of Women” training center of the Catholic women’s movement. From 2017 she was the first woman to lead the pastoral ministry of the Diocese of Linz and the diocesan future process. Eder-Cakl is married and has three daughters.
Source: Nachrichten
