Treasury director retired archdiocese died
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Josef Lidicky died in a skiing accident on Wednesday. He was responsible for the economic agendas of the Archdiocese for 20 years.
Born in Taxenbach (Pinzgau), he was responsible, among other things, for paying the priests and employees, many educational and pedagogical facilities and the maintenance of around 900 properties – including 400 preferably listed churches, chapels and 220 vicarages. During his tenure, numerous major projects were secured – such as the renovation of the seminary or the expansion of the diocesan archives with the rehearsal rooms for the cathedral music, the purchase of the Christkönigskolleg and the former monastery of the Monfortans, which was converted into the headquarters of the Catholic educational institution. In addition, numerous churches, vicarages and other church buildings were renovated.
Bearer of the Great Medal of Merit of the State of Salzburg
Lidicky had served the archdiocese since 1978. He was the first layman in the consistory, the archbishop’s advisory body. He was also an advisory member of the Finance Commission of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference. He also volunteered in his parish in Anif (Flachgau).
He has received several awards for his services, such as the Great Medal of Merit from the State of Salzburg in 2016. In 2018, the Tyrolean governor Günther Platter honored him with the “Tiroler Adler Orden”. And in November 2019 he was proclaimed “Knight of the Order of St. Pope Silvester”. Archbishop Franz Lackner presented him with the award bestowed by Pope Francis.
Managed finances with prudence and foresight
The archbishop was “deeply dismayed” by the sudden death: “For 20 years he managed the finances of the diocese in a responsible manner, with prudence and foresight worth turning the page before he went into well-deserved retirement in September 2018. Only last Sunday we met at the Cardinal König Art Prize. Our thoughts and prayers are with his dear wife, children, grandchildren and family at this difficult time. Let us pray together for our dear Joseph. May the Lord grant him eternal rest.”
Josef Lidicky was married and the father of four children.