Beat Grögli

Beat Grögli (born 20 September 1970) is a Swiss Roman Catholic prelate, serving as the bishop of the Diocese of Saint Gallen and the apostolic administrator of Appenzell since 2025.

Life Grögli was born in Wil on 20 September 1970, From 1992 to 1997 he studied philosophy and theology at the University of Fribourg and University of Innsbruck as well as psychology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. on 20 May 2025, (The election was originally scheduled for late April but was postponed because of the death of Pope Francis.) and on 22 May Pope Leo XIV appointed him bishop of St. Gallen, a position which entails as well the responsibilities of apostolic administrator of the two semi-cantons of Appenzell. The Neue Zürcher Zeitung described him as "an unknown quantity" with respect to current Church issues, but thought to be "in the moderate camp". and became the youngest bishop in Switzerland.

Views In May 2025, Grögli expressed optimism about the eventual ordination of women, without advocating for the practice. As bishop-elect, he affirmed that although he considered the theological arguments against the ordination of women to be "weak", he nevertheless recognized that the wider issue was "complex" and emphasised his loyalty to Rome.

In a personal statement after his election, Grögli expressed his support for synodality in the Catholic Church. In a July 2025 interview, he said he was willing to bless same-sex couples, stating that a blessing is "not a church political manifestation". He also expressed disapproval of the Tridentine Mass as "not evolving" and that groups which celebrate it in his diocese (namely the SSPX) have "separated themselves from the larger community". At the same time, he has noted his appreciation for Eastern Rite liturgies, saying that it takes him "into another dimension" despite the language barrier.

Grögli has a special devotion to Ignatius of Loyola and to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome.