Michlaus Habich
Michlaus Habich | |
|---|---|
| Primate of the Society of Jesus the Friend | |
 Habich in 2009 | |
| Church | Society of Jesus the Friend |
| Province | Harimisaareke |
| Elected | 18 August 2009 |
| Predecessor | Barrikada Schäuble |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Michlaus Jakob Habich |
| Born | October 5, 1949 Harimisaareke, Kirenia |
| Nationality | Kirenian |
| Denomination | Witterist |
| Spouse | Margarete (née Mörike) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Wiesstadt Imperial Academy (BTh) |
Michlaus Jakob Habich (born 5 October 1949) is a Kirenian 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 Harimisaareke since 2002, and prior to this he served as a community pastor in inner-city Harimisaareke. As Primate, Habich acts as the primus inter pares among pastors of the Witterite faith.
Habich was one of the first Kirenian students to study at Wiesstadt Imperial Academy in Werania since the Kirenian-Weranian War, graduting in 1970 with a Bachelor of Theology, having read in Philosophy and Theology. After returning to Kirenia, he served as a pastor in a number of communities, primarily in his hometown of Harimisaareke. His election to the Primacy was spurred by the impending retirement of Barrikada Schäuble.
As Primate, Habich has worked closely with the General Commission for Religious Affairs, and has pushed for the Witterites to be recognised under the National Cultural Autonomy Principle. 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 Harimisaareke to unknown parents, eventually being adopted by Walther and Maria Habich, both Witterites. He was then raised by the couple as a Witterite, and has expressed a wish to never meet his biological parents. Habich attended Central Harimisaareke Preparatory School, and then attended the Jakob Witter Academy. He graduated from the Academy in 1967, and gained admission to the prestigious Wiesstadt Imperial Academy in Werania. While in Werania, he embedded himself in the local Witterite community. He read in Philosophy and Theology, and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Theology.
On his return from Werania, Habich was caught up in the latter-end of Ideologisation.
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 Cultural Autonomy Principle in Kirenia. He presented the 2016 petition, signed by thousands of Witterite pastors and individuals, to the General Congress. He has worked closely with the General Commission for Religious Affairs, and reported that he hopes this cooperation will help the Witterite cause. Habich has also worked closely with the Institute for Theological-Ideological Studies to this end.
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 in countries currently without the option. 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
Habich has been a proponent of ecumenism from a young age. His undergraduate thesis was on the viability of a global church, and as Primate he has met with representatives and leaders from the majority of Sotirian churches. His meeting with Pope Joseph in 2015 was notable for the duo's conversation on ecumenism.
Habich has also pushed for strong inter-faith relations. In Kirenia, Habich has worked closesly with the Institute for Theological-Ideological Studies, and has argued that strong inter-faith relations are not only morally just, but also a necessity in an increasingly irreleigious world. Habich has pointed to Ideologisation, and has argued that it is an example of an issue which strong inter-faith relations would be necessary to counter.
Abortion
Habich told reporters in 2011 that he had "certain moral issues" with abortion, but quickly clarified in later interviews that he did not support the repeal or scaling back of Kirenia's abortion laws.