It’s called “Reconciliation and cordial relations at the heart of Europe”: the joint declaration of the Episcopal Conferences of Austria and the Czech Republic was presented simultaneously in Vienna and Prague on 20 March. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn and Archbishop Jan Graubner, respectively presidents of the Austrian and Czech Episcopal Conference, expressed the hope that this declaration would “contribute to the process of European enlargement and unification that is taking place at the present time and that the Holy Father has continuously encouraged”. The declaration underlines “the long and complicated history of relations between Austria and the Czech Republic. In spite of the positive social and cultural contributions that the two countries have made to each other, there have also been examples of violent conflicts and lack of reciprocal respect. The nationalist and totalitarian regimes of the 20th century says the declaration have left terrible scars in Austrian and Czech lands and have marked the relations between the two countries”. For this reason “Austrian and Czech Catholics must unite their forces to contribute to the reunification of Europe. It is essential to look backwards in history and recognize the evil committed by both”. According to the bishops, “what is needed is a revision of history and a greater participation [of the two Churches] in the efforts of reconciliation and cooperation being made, especially over the last ten years”.
