The prospects of a ministry geared to the European dimension were discussed at the Austrian congress on pastoral care held at Salzburg on 8 January in the presence of the city’s archbishop, Alois Kothgasser. The theme of the congress, chosen in view of the imminent enlargement of the EU, was variously analysed. It was a kind of “journey through Europe”, combined with a “journey in faith, in greater understanding and in dialogue”, explained the general secretary of the Austrian institute for pastoral care, Walter Krieger. The participants in the congress included priests, deacons, religious, teachers of religion, representatives of other Christian Churches and laypeople. Among the main speakers were the bishop of Graz, Egon Kapellari, and the pastoral theologian Paul M. Zulehner. A series of pastoral proposals involving various countries, plans for the coordination of international Catholic organizations and school and student projects on Europe were presented during the congress. Particular emphasis was also placed on the Katholikentag (Catholic assembly) for the Catholics of Central Europe, which Zulehner called “an opportunity” for a “Church that thinks in a European dimension”, and which is called to make “a substantial contribution also to the links between the peoples of Europe and hence to peace”.
