This is necessary in order to overcome the multiple divisions in society, as Scheuer emphasized in his sermon. The festive service on Monday evening in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna will be the liturgical highlight of the bishops’ deliberations scheduled for November 6th to 9th, 2023 on the first day of the autumn general assembly of the Bishops’ Conference. In place of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, who is ill, Archbishop Franz Lackner presided over the service.
“Visits and hospitality are more in demand than ever,” said Bishop Scheuer in his sermon: “Take the first step. Visiting others in their home is better than waiting for them to come to me. Visiting creates community.” It’s not about perfect communities, but about dealing with all strengths and weaknesses in a relationship-rich manner. “Then the kingdom of God will be realized,” said Scheuer.
Today, the word hospitality primarily evokes the idea of kindness and generosity, of maintaining social relationships, of stimulating get-togethers and a comfortable atmosphere. However, such associations by no means exhaust the original depth and spiritual power of this human and especially Christian key word, explained the bishop. Hospitality is one of the most dense biblical concepts that can deepen and expand the understanding of the relationship between people and, moreover, with God.
In his sermon, Scheuer spoke of divisions in families and in society, of divisions between generations, between rich and poor, between political ideologies, religious beliefs or between nationals and people with a migration background. Identities would only be formed within bubbles. “You can’t get along with each other anymore and you don’t want to get together anymore.” In homogeneous groups or nations there is no room for others or for minorities.
But: “If we only meet those who confirm us, who do not pose a threat to us, who do not criticize and challenge us, then it becomes very boring.” And it will also be dangerous. Strangers or asylum seekers would only be under the sign of negation. The bishop warned that the perception of others occurs from the perspective of suspicion, hostility, rejection or condemnation.
Scheuer also spoke of divisions: “the separation of freedom from solidarity, the detachment of self-determination from empathy, the isolation of justice from individuality, the overemphasis of structures over the individual, self-assertion without an orientation towards the common good.” And in the bubbles, the concrete reality of suffering, fear, oppression and death is no longer visible.
Bishop Manfred Scheuer during the sermon in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. © Paul Wuthe / Kathpress
Universal community
Pope Francis, on the other hand, speaks of universal community and fraternity in his encyclical “Laudato Si”. Indifference or cruelty toward the other creatures of the world reflected much of “how we treat other people.” Perceiving the suffering of others is part of peace policy and social solidarity in the face of the escalating rift between rich and poor. What is needed is empathy, empathy and openness, “which can also share in the suffering, fears and failures of others,” warned Bishop Scheuer, referring to the Pope.
In this context, the Linz diocesan bishop also recalled his visit to Syria at the beginning of September 2023 with a delegation from the aid organization “Initiative Christian Orient”. The fate of children is particularly bad. The children are uprooted, psychologically and spiritually. There are no children’s rights in the camp situation. The children grew up with fear, in war and on the run. They are alone and abandoned, said the bishop, who called for solidarity and compassion.
Prayer for peace
At the beginning of the service, Archbishop Franz Lackner called for prayer for peace, especially for the Holy Land. The intercessions also included prayers for Ukraine and all other war zones, as well as for Pope Francis and the success of the World Synod. The Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana also took part in the service.
Archbishop Franz Lackner presided over the celebratory service. © Paul Wuthe / Kathpress
Four-day consultations of the bishops
The autumn general assembly of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference began on November 6, 2023 with a reception by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and a joint lunch in the Vienna Hofburg. On Monday afternoon, the bishops had a study afternoon on “Flight and Migration” in the Archbishop’s Palace in Vienna. From Tuesday the bishops will continue their general assembly in the Laab im Walde monastery. A main topic of the bishops’ conference is the results of the first general assembly of the world synod, which took place in the Vatican in October. The bishops’ deliberations end on November 9, 2023.
Autumn general meeting of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomes the members of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference in the Hofburg.
Bishop Manfred Scheuer (l.) and Archbishop Franz Lackner at the general assembly of the bishops’ conference in Laab im Walde
General assembly of the bishops’ conference in Laab im Walde
© Henning Klingen / Kathpress | © HBF / Peter Lechner | © Paul Wuthe / Kathpress
2023-11-07 19:12:35
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