The Church is close to the separated and the divorcedThe Austrian Catholic Church intends to be “attentive” to the issue of the separated and remarried faithful. For this purpose, in the past days Wien’s “Separated and remarried platform” (Wige) presented a pamphlet with guidelines on the approach with these people. This organization, founded in 1989, operates with the purpose of supporting all those who for various existential reasons are no longer comfortable inside the Church even though they intend to be part of it. It supplies council, formation and interviews aimed at promoting pastoral contact with separated people. The Document is articulated in 5 main points and is addressed to spiritual counselors and to the persons directly involved. It lists issues inspired by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, President of the Bishops Conference. “The question of the failure of a relationship is all the more urgent. It is a reality which no spiritual assistant can avoid”, is written in the foreword of the document which also reaffirms the indissolubility of sacramental marriage, “which holds its highest dignity before God”, although for the separated, whose marriage is collapsed, a sort of “solemn second promise” is envisaged. This promise wouldn’t have the status of an ecclesiastic marriage, rather, it would confer a certain degree of dignity to the new union thus distinguishing it from a second marriage celebrated only with civil rite. The brochure equally reiterates the need to give total priority to children: “children must be sure that they are loved by their parents, independently of life developments. It is therefore necessary to ask oneself if the rights of the child are respected”. The brochure also considers other aspects often connected to separation such as the relationship with one’s former husband, which has to stem from the effort to create a just relationship and with the priority of the children’s welfare; facing guilt feelings for marriage failure in order to promote “responsible reconciliation”. Denouncing domestic violenceThe Catholic Austrian Women Movement (Kfbö) said no to the denial of domestic violence. On November 23, on the occasion of the beginning of the international campaign “16 days against women violence”, the movement appealed to its 200.000 members not to hide acts of violence committed inside the family and contact the call centers and victim support groups. The Kfbö equally urged politicians to give long-lasting financing and support of the foster-homes for abused women asking in particular for long-promised establishment of a home for young female immigrants who are threatened to marry by force or victims of abuse. Margit Hauft, President of the organization, stressed the need for greater awareness-building on this issue inside parishes: “this problem cannot be ignored. It demands the intervention of sensitive spiritual workers and of brave people”, she affirmed. Ms. Hauft said that despite Kfbö’s thorough activity to break the silence on domestic violence, many victims try to safeguard the image of peaceful Christian families. The responsible of the foster-home in St. Pölten, Maria Imlinger, asked for the enactment of more severe punishment to the responsibles of domestic violence. “Long-term acts of violence within a relationship worsened by threats to women, should be considered a crime and strictly condemned”. Ms. Hauft also envisaged the introduction of compulsive recovery programs for the culprits ruled by the court”, with the possibility of suspending punishment if the violent man is willing to comply with the re-habilitation program. December 8… closed for holidayCard. Christoph Schönborn, President of the Bishops Conference, expressed his satisfaction for the decision of a supermarket chain to stay closed for the Immaculate Conception festivity on December 8. “There always are signs of hope in decisions such as this”, the Cardinal declared. “I wish to thank those who took this brave decision and I hope that it may set an example. I congratulate myself especially for the fact that collaborators of this big company will be given the opportunity of celebrating December 8. “People are more than simple producers and consumers. They are firstly men and women who believe, hope and love. They need their time for reflection and peace. The period of the Advent should be ‘the most silent period of the year’. We’re far from it. However, it’s a positive sign that an important company gives its contribution, hoping that this period of expectation and hope may recover some of its original significance”, he concluded.
