Helmut Ausserwöger, a married layman and father of six children, is the new spiritual assistant of Catholic Action in Upper Austria. This is a “first” in the history of the regional association since it has never happened before that a bishop would appoint a layman to such a position. “In this way, the Diocese consistently pursues its path of entrusting responsibilities to lay people and volunteers with proven experience, thus ensuring the coexistence of priests and lay people in the Catholic Church of Upper Austria”, reads a press release from the Diocese of Linz, led by Bishop Manfred Scheuer, announcing the appointment. Mr Ausserwöger has an outstanding curriculum: since September 2023, he has been parish assistant (at St. Martin im Mühlkreis); and before that, he had served as the head of the “Schloss Puchberg” educational centre in Wels for five years. In addition to his pastoral skills, he is a theologian and a psychotherapist.