Linz, September 7, 2024 (KAP) The Linz Bible Society looked back on six decades of commitment to “making people interested in the Bible” at a celebration at the Schloss Puchberg educational center in Wels on Friday. Since 1964, the founding date in the middle of the Second Vatican Council, the specialist department of the Diocese of Linz has succeeded in making the Holy Scriptures accessible in a contemporary and appealing way far beyond the diocesan borders – through distance learning courses, exhibitions, events and publications with the participation of many committed people, it said in a press release on Saturday.
In a video message, diocesan bishop Manfred Scheuer spoke of a 60-year-long “enthusiasm for the Bible” that drives the Bible Society. Founded by Auxiliary Bishop Alois Wagner (1924-2002), it has developed into a “sought-after biblical pastoral player in the German-speaking world” with enormous appeal. The bishop thanked all those responsible, especially Franz Kogler as a key figure, all friends – the “Friends of the Bible Society” association has existed for 20 years – and volunteers.
The anniversary was celebrated at Puchberg Castle with several hundred employees. The program included a keynote speech by the leading diocesan liturgy officer Michael Zugmann, workshops and a “biblical church cabaret” with Ernst Aigner and Günther Lainer.
The Linz Bible Society has made it its mission to support the full-time and voluntary workers in the parishes in bringing the word of God closer to people. It offers extensive training on biblical topics, promotes the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures, makes them accessible and tangible through a variety of offers, publishes the free magazine “Bibelsaat” and a monthly newsletter. Hundreds of events are held every year – last year there were 338 events with over 10,000 participants.
One of the most recent events this year was the travelling exhibition “Expedition Bible”, which stopped off at the parish church in Vienna-Strebersdorf in June. 2,300 people – including many children and young people with their school classes – were given a “new, sensual experience of the Bible” in the exhibition, according to a report on the Bible Work website. The feedback was extremely positive. (Info: https://www.dioezese-linz.at/bibelwerk)
