The social power of the Gospel” “

The Central European Katholikentag, ecumenical social thought, the defence of life and the year of the family were the main points discussed at the general assembly of Austrian bishops, held at the Marian sanctuary of Mariazell in late June. The press release issued at the end of the meeting describes the Katholikentag, in particular, as a “spiritual event”, an occasion on which “the social power of the message of the Gospel must become visible at a decisive time for the new construction of the common European home”. The Central European Katholikentag: Referring to the concluding pilgrimage to the Marian sanctuary at Mariazell in May 2004, the Austrian bishops say that “the next few months shall be permeated by the spiritual and social aspects of the transnational pilgrimage (on 23 and 24 May 2004) and the joint symposia on current problems”. In particular, they stress that “the experiences of the Central European area must be conceived and used to counter not only totalitarian atheism, but also the challenges of a secularized society, and to further the common pursuit of other roads. The exchange of experiences” therefore means “a reinforcement in faith, a growth in hope and a completion in love”. The bishops therefore appeal “to all Catholics and men of good will in Austria” to join the pilgrimage to Mariazell and “extend warm hospitality to the foreign guests from the other countries participating in the Katholikentag”. Ecumenical social thought: “Wide consensus has become perceptible” in discussing the second draft of the document on ecumenical social thought”, say the bishops. Its “text – in parallel with the consultations with the other 13 member churches of the ecumenical Council – will become the basis for successive drafts”. In this regard “the objective is to achieve a commonly accepted text by Advent, without passing over the controversial points in silence”. In ecumenical social thought, the social task of the churches must “be closely linked with the means of faith”. As a sign of encouragement, the publication of the joint document on social thought “must proceed hand in hand with the transformations of important requests through ecclesial initiatives”. Defence of life: In their communiqué the bishops express their “thanks” to the Minister for scientific resources, Elisabeth Gehrer, “for having exercised her power of veto in the EU Council of Ministers with regard to the funding of research projects using embryonal cells” and their gratitude “for not having ignored the dignity and integrity of human life” in this field. On the other hand, the bishops express “great concern”, on learning “of the allocation of large sums of money to the funding of programmes on abortion and sterilization in the EU”. They therefore request the Austrian government “to put in place the necessary measures to prevent Austrian taxpayers’ money being used for this purpose”. The year of the family: Lastly, the bishops express the hope that “1994+10”, the ten-year jubilee of the international year of the family, be used as an occasion “to review the situation of the family and to implement appropriate measures to promote it from the material and non-material viewpoint.” Various initiatives are being taken by the Church in Austria, aimed at the renewal of the family apostolate in parishes and in preparation for marriage. In this case too, an international symposium on marriage and the family will be held as part of the programme of the Katholikentag.