Catholic Priest collapses and dies in front of congregation while walking to tabernacle to return Holy Communion

A Catholic priest has di£d after collapsing suddenly in front of the congregation during Sunday mass. 

The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria. 

Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna. 

“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said. 

The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes. 

The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community. 

Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years. 

A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.  

The funeral of parish moderator Raimund Beisteiner will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in the parish church of Wiesmath. The rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Requiem Mass at 10 a.m.