Josef Grünwidl, the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Vienna, has expressed his opposition to the mandatory celibacy requirement for priests. He believes that individuals seeking to become priests should have the freedom to choose between living a celibate life or marrying and starting a family. Grünwidl, who stepped into this interim role following the departure of former Archbishop Christoph Schönborn, made these statements in a recent interview. Appointed by the Pope in January, Grünwidl is currently serving until a new Archbishop is selected. He emphasized the need for priests to move away from a mindset of self-pity regarding celibacy, suggesting that a review of this longstanding tradition is overdue. He acknowledged that discussions about celibacy have persisted for centuries and noted that there have been significant periods in church history when priests were not required to remain celibate. Grünwidl also commented on the delay in appointing a new Archbishop, explaining that a recent candidate declined the position, necessitating a fresh start in the selection process. He called for greater transparency in the proceedings surrounding episcopal appointments, indicating that increased openness would benefit the overall process of selecting a bishop. In terms of his future, Grünwidl has reiterated that he does not see himself as a candidate for the Archbishop role, stating his hope that a decision regarding the new Archbishop will be made by summer. He also discussed the potential for establishing a permanent diaconate for women, although he clarified that this would not serve as a precursor to priestly ordination. The role of women in the church has been a prominent topic of discussion at the recent global synods, with significant attention given to their participation and influence in church decision-making. Grünwidl acknowledged the importance of addressing these issues, highlighting the need for the church to engage with the evolving expectations of its female members and to consider their perspectives in future discussions and decisions.