ecumenism" "
With a statement issued by the Ecumenical Council of the Austrian Churches (ÖRKO) on 17 June, the Christian Churches of Austria ask the Islamic community for a clear position. The first conference of Imams was held in Austria at the end of April. It ended with a final declaration in which various principles and recommendations were enunciated. The document of the Ecumenical Council indicates as an “important condition” for the creation of mutual trust the fact that Muslims should “not represent Jews and Christians with contempt”, nor “request the removal of Christian and Jewish symbols”. Equally important, says the statement, is “the message transmitted during classes in Islamic religion, in the formation of Imams and teachers of religion” and in “the witness publicly given, in the workplace, in the sectors of spiritual assistance in hospitals, military structures and prisons”. The representatives of the churches also underline “the problems deriving from marriages with non-Muslims and equality between man and woman”. The ÖRKO reaffirms the pledges assumed with the “Charta Oecumenica” in terms of relations with Muslims and the hope for a growth of meetings and dialogue at every level between Christians and Muslims. The statement lastly declares that the “Austrian Christian Churches are closely observing the efforts being made by Muslims to integrate themselves in Austrian society”, and promise to do all in their power to create “a climate conducive to integration”.
