Michlaus Habich
Michlaus Habich | |
|---|---|
| Primate of the Society of Jesus the Friend | |
 Habich in 2009 | |
| Church | Society of Jesus the Friend |
| Province | Coerz |
| Elected | 18 August 2009 |
| Predecessor | Barrikada Schäuble |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Michlaus Jakob Habich |
| Born | October 5, 1949 Coerz, Coerz Canton, Swetania |
| Nationality | Sweto–Witterite |
| Denomination | Witterite |
| Spouse | Margarete (née Mörike) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Wiesstadt Imperial Academy (BTh) |
Michlaus Jakob Habich (born 5 October 1949) is a Sweto–Witterite pastor, theologian and current Primate of the Society of Jesus the Friend, having served in this position since his election in 2009. In addition to this, he has served as the elder for the Province of Coerz since 2002, and prior to this he served as a community pastor in inner-city Coerz. As Primate, Habich acts as the primus inter pares among pastors of the Witterite faith.
Habich was one of the first Swetanian students to study at Wiesstadt Imperial Academy in Werania since the Swetanian-Weranian War, graduting in 1970 with a Bachelor of Theology, having read in Philosophy and Theology. After returning to Swetania, he served as a pastor in a number of communities, primarily in his hometown of Coerz. His election to the Primacy was spurred by the impending retirement of Barrikada Schäuble.
As Primate, Habich has worked closely with the Swetanian religious policy committee, and has pushed for the Witterites to be recognised under the national autonomy framework. Theologically, Habich is considered to represent the liberal tradition, though he maintains close relations with the universalists.
Early life and education
Michlaus was born in Coerz to unknown parents, eventually being adopted by Walther and Maria Habich, both Witterites.
Ministry
Primacy
Theology
Social views
National autonomy framework
Habich has been key in the campaign for Witterites to be recognised as an ethnic group and nation under the national autonomy framework in Swetania. He presented the 2016 petition, signed by thousands of Witterite pastors and individuals, to the General Congress. He has worked closely with the religious policy committee, and reported that he hopes this cooperation will help the Witterite cause.
Euclean Community
Refugees
Social injustice and poverty
Gender, sexuality and same-sex marriage
As part of his liberal theology, Habich has been supportive of same-sex marriage, establishing the Witterite Pride Commission within the Society of Jesus the Friend. Habich has also been supportive of transgender rights, and has expressed support for a gender neutral passport. He has evidenced his support for transgender rights through Witterite theology, telling reporters in 2018 that "the light within is the expression of the true self", and that "the Lord provides that light".
Ecumenism and inter-faith relations
Abortion
Habich told reporters in 2011 that he had "certain moral issues" with abortion, but clarified in later interviews that he did not support the repeal or scaling back of Swetania's abortion laws.