In the face of changing social realities and new needs of the people, church structures and offers would have to be re-adjusted, Archbishop Herwig Gössl explained according to the message of the diocese on Sunday.
The guidelines for realignment come on the Feast of the Lord's Baptism (11. January) in force.
The development shows the limits of previous church structures as well as human and financial resources, Gössl said. Not all offers could be maintained nationwide.
Therefore, an "appreciative farewell" and the willingness to let go of the proven are necessary.
At the same time, experimental and innovative initiatives should be accompanied and supported.
Guidelines are based on pastoral plan
The Sunday service remains the culmination and middle of faith, according to the Archdiocese, in selected locations. In addition, we want to promote further liturgical and spiritual forms.
In the future, the administration should be organized centrally in pastoral areas.
Another goal is closer cooperation with other church and social actors.
The Church sees itself as a "reliable partner in society", taking responsibility together with others, it said.
The aim of the realignment is to promote community among the people - open to all and oriented to their respective reality of life, according to Gössl.
The guidelines are therefore linked to the pastoral plan "Daring the departure - today!" published in 2005 on and at the same time mark the start of a new pastoral diocese process.
On their basis, pastoral care areas are to develop their own pastoral strategies and innovative concepts.
Feedback from practice should be incorporated into a continuous development of the guidelines.