Seitenstetten Abbey re-elects Abbot Petrus Pilsinger

On Tuesday, 25 February 2025, the community of Seitenstetten Abbey, chaired by Abbot President Johannes Perkmann, re-elected Abbot Petrus Pilsinger for a second term of office by canonical vote. His new term of office extends until he reaches the age of 70. The new election took place at the end of his previous twelve-year term of office.

We wish the re-elected abbot God’s blessing for his ministry. We ask all those who feel connected to our monastic community for their prayers. We ask for prayers for Abbot Petrus and the community.

On behalf of the community,
Prior Fr. Laurentius Resch OSB

Personal details

Abbot Petrus Pilsinger was born in Euratsfeld in 1964. After graduating from Seitenstetten Abbey High School, he studied theology at the Philosophical-Theological College in St. Pölten. In 1987, he joined the Benedictine Abbey of Seitenstetten and was ordained a priest in 1990. Before his election as the 63rd abbot of Seitenstetten Abbey on 8 February 2013, he worked in particular as a teacher and director of the abbey’s grammar school. During his first term of office, the renovation of the pilgrimage church on Sonntagberg and the abbey church tower in Seitenstetten were among the projects completed.

In the coming years, Abbot Petrus Pilsinger and the monastic community will face the challenge of restructuring the school and pastoral care tasks within the 14 incorporated parishes. The Seitenstetten community currently has 24 confreres who are active in various areas such as parish pastoral care, school teaching, care of the elderly, culture and looking after guests.

Photo index: Community of Seitenstetten Abbey with the elected Abbot Petrus Pilsinger and the election commission Abbot President Johannes Perkmann (Michaelbeuern Abbey), Abbot Gerhard Hafner (Admont Abbey) and Prior Fr. Michael Hüttl (Altenburg Abbey) Photo credits Seitenstetten Abbey, Josef Penzendorfer