EIN BISCHOF WIRD ABT UND ERHÄLT ERST DAMIT EINE HERDE (SC 41). EINIGE BESONDERHEITEN DER WAHL VON ASZTRIK VÁRSZEGI OSB ZUM ERZABT VON PANNONHALMA AUS LITURGIE-EKKLESIOLOGISCHER SICHT

Abstract

A bishop becomes an abbot and only then receives a flock (Sc 41). Some particularities of the election of Asztrik Várszegi OsB as Archabbot of Pannonhalma from a liturgical-eclesiological perspective. The Benedictine monks of Pannonhalma (Hungary) decided 1991 to elect as their new Archabbot the then Auxiliary Bishop Asztrik Várszegi OsB of Esztergom-Budapest. With this extraordinary move we can witness how a (Titular) Bishop without pastoral jurisdiction receives his own flock (sC 41) by being elected to lead Hungary’s oldest monastery and only Territorial Abbey. This paper presents some remarkable liturgical and ecclesiological aspects of the liturgy, in which Bishop Asztrik was introduced as new Archabbot and Ordinary of his local Church. Also interesting is the fact, that he was elected by members of the Order with a solemn vow, both clerics and lay brothers, and later confirmed by the supreme Pontiff. For the synodal process, initiated by Pope Francis, the way of selecting bishops is a key theme. Bishop Asztrik’s election and appointment could be a striking example for how lay people in the future can get a more active and direct role in selecting their shepherds.