WIENER NEUSTADT
A Catholic priest in Austria died after he collapsed during celebration of Holy Mass on Thursday.
Rev. Fr. Raimund Beisteiner commonly known as Fr. Rai, a Parish moderator at Wiesmath Parish in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Archdiocese of Vienna in Austria collapsed dead suddenly after the distribution of communion during Holy Mass celebration at the parish.
Despite immediate efforts to resuscitate him, he did not survive.
“He collapsed on the stairs while returning from putting the consecrated hosts in the tabernacle,” one Christian eyewitness said.
Beisteiner was 59 years old and had led the parish of Wiesmath as parish moderator since 2006.
The Archbishop of Vienna, Rt. Rev. Josef Grünwidl, confirmed the reports and participated in a prayer hour that was organized at short notice.
“With his sudden death, the Church in Vienna loses a priest who fulfilled his duties with seriousness, a sense of responsibility, and pastoral prudence, and who enjoyed great trust and appreciation among many people,” Archbishop Grünwidl announced.
Fr. Raimund Beisteiner will be laid to rest on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in the parish church of Wiesmath. The rosary will begin at 9:30 AM, followed by the requiem at 10 AM, according to the funeral program released by the Archdiocese.
