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Revd Canon Patrick Curran (Chaplain) Patrick Curran has retired from the chaplaincy of Christ Church as of 31 December 2025, after 25 years in the post. Until a new chaplain has been appointed, clergy duties will be performed by visiting (locum) priests:
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ASSISTANT CURATE |
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Revd Dr Andrea Bianchi Andrea was born in north-east Italy in 1984. From a young age he began to attend a Roman-Catholic seminary in southern Italy to become a priest, but he later decided to continue his philosophical education while he was further exploring God´s call to him. He moved to Vienna in 2005 and completed his degree in philosophy and left Vienna in 2009 to complete a Masters in Peace Studies in Bradford, England. After meeting Emanuela, who later became his wife, he spent some time studying Rogerian psychotherapy. During this period, he also worked at a variety of software companies in customer facing roles, travelling around the world with Emanuela in his free time. Between 2016-2019, he completed a PhD in the reception of Church patristics within 17th century protestant debates on human freedom and theodicy. He started discerning his vocation in the Church of England in 2017, and in 2023 he restarted training to become a priest. He trained with the Eastern Regional Ministry Course (ERMC), moving back to Vienna in 2024. Over the years, Andrea has had a variety of roles in churches and has experienced the work of Christian organisations in Vienna, Italy, north Romania, and Uganda. He was ordained a deacon in 2026 and is now in post-ordination training, en-route to becoming a priest in the summer of 2027. He is thankful for the very welcoming community of Christ Church, enjoys its diversity, and is amazed at how many contribute to the life of the community and its mission in a variety of roles. Besides his ministry activities at Christ Church Vienna, Andrea has a full family life with two young boys who keep him busy. He is also working full time for a large software organization. In his free time he enjoys family day trips, reading, and Christian music. |
| LICENSED LAY MINISTER | |
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Frank G. C. Sauer, PhD Frank moved to Vienna in 2004 after leaving his birthplace of Leverkusen, Germany, where he was born in 1974. His license to operate as a Reader at Christ Church Vienna was granted on June 16, 2024. Readers are laypeople called to serve the church on the front lines and participate in leadership roles alongside clergy and other ministers. He has been a lengthy member of Christ Church and has participated in many events and programs, including teaching, directing animal blessing ceremonies, leading morning and evening prayers, and giving speeches at Soundings. He presently serves as a representative of Christ Church on the Church Council and before the Archdeaconry Synod. He works with Caritas Vienna as an educational coordinator, regional supervisor, and public relations speaker. Prior to that, he spent several years working in the field of vocational training as a coach, advisor, and trainer. In 2002, he received his master's degree in education, sociology, and Old Catholic theology from the University of Bonn. In 2018, he received his PhD in philosophy from the University of Vienna, specializing in advanced theological studies and religious education. His dissertation, „Versöhnung und Migration. Missionstheologische Ansätze aus Anglikanischer Perspektive“ addressed missiological methods in the context of migration from an Anglican viewpoint. Frank has been involved in the church since he was a small child, serving in choirs, organizing liturgies, leading children's and youth organizations, and leading ecumenical Bible studies. He worked with the German Youth Red Cross on volunteer training and teaching programs while he was a student. Frank's favorite things about Christ Church include the parishioners' high level of dedication, the diversity of the flock, and the church's cultivation of the English musical tradition. In 2015, he became a member of the global Anglican Franciscan Religious Order known as the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis (TSSF). |
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Joan Avery, PhD (Choir Director) Joan was born in England, went to school in several continents, and moved to Austria in the early nineties to study music. She has a licentiate in Violin Performance from the ABRSM and a PhD in German Literature. She is currently leading four choirs, as well as playing in various orchestras. She enjoys getting the best sound out of people, especially those who think they cannot sing. She tutors in English, French, and violin. |
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Andrew Couse (Organist) Andrew has served as our organist for several years. He came to Vienna in 1998 to take a position at the Volksoper and has taught at the Musik und Kunst University of the City of Vienna (formerly Konservatorium) for the past ten years. Originally from Ottawa in Canada, he studied piano and organ with Marion Hewitt and Dr. Godfrey Hewitt, received a bachelor's degree in music from Carleton University and went on to Montreal to do a master's degree in Musicology and Conducting at McGill University, concurrently with completing an Advanced Diploma in Organ Performance at Concordia University under Bernard Lagacé. He spent several years working as Director of Music at the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Montreal before travelling to Germany in 1990, under a Canada Arts Council grant, to study orchestral conducting at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst "Franz Liszt" in Weimar. He particularly values the high standards and appreciation of good music here at Christ Church and the enthusiasm that the congregation brings to singing the hymns! Outside of music, Andrew is a qualified Shiatsu practitioner. He teaches at the International Academy for Hara Shiatsu in Vienna, regularly travels to China to study aspects of traditional Chinese medicine, and has a Shiatsu practice in Vienna. |
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Andrew Seneviratne (Verger) As Verger, Andrew is responsible for looking after the church premises. He works with the Chaplain to ensure that all runs smoothly during regular and special services, particularly baptisms, funerals, and those over the Christmas and Easter seasons. Born and brought up in Sri Lanka, he came to Vienna to be with his brother and to work in the hospitality industry. Brought up in the Roman Catholic Church, he feels at home at Christ Church and particularly appreciates the fact that the services are in English. He enjoys getting to know Christians of a variety of different nationalities within our congregation. Being a hotelier does not allow Andrew much free time, but he enjoys getting involved, along with his wife, at the Vienna Christian Center. |
