Abstaining from the car: this is what the Catholic and the Evangelical Churches of Upper Austria and the diocese of Linz ask of their congregations for Lent, which is starting tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. The goal is to contribute to the protection of the climate and the preservation of the Creation. To join the event, one has to subscribe at www.autofasten.at. “The meaning of Lent is to steer one’s eyes to look at what is important and achieve true freedom. Since its origins, it has aimed at discovering the wrong attachments in one’s life”, stated Michael Rosenberger, spokesman of the diocese of Linz for the environment. To support the event, the traffic authority of Upper Austria (OÖVV) offers discounted tickets for public transport throughout the forty days’ abstention from the car. To improve steadfastness in abstaining from using one’s car, a "diary of abstinence from the car" is available. As well as the diocese of Linz, the Evangelical Church of Upper Austria and the OÖVV, the event is also backed by the Organisation for Catholic Action, the Land, the Austrian Alliance for Climate (Klimabündnis) of Upper Austria and many other organisations and associations.
