Bishops on New Year's Eve: Overcoming social polarization

2023-12-31 17:12:15

In church services on New Year’s Eve, Austrian bishops draw mixed conclusions about the past year – Learning from the synod for everyday life – Stories of hope help against multiple crises

Salzburg/Linz/Klagenfurt/Feldkirch (KAP) – How can we promote thriving coexistence in the face of multiple crises and social polarization? This question was the focus of the Austrian bishops’ sermons at the end of the year. The answers to this were varied – although there was agreement that the church continues to be an important “player” when it comes to social cohesion and the preservation of humanity even in times of crisis. “Wars and polarizations require a joint effort from all of us,” said Salzburg Archbishop Franz Lackner in Salzburg Cathedral. In a networked world, everyone needs to work together – not least for peace as a “truly universal good,” said Lackner.

One instrument for getting involved in society is the method that he himself found particularly inspiring at the Synod of Bishops in Rome, Lackner continued. This was an interplay of prayer, silence, talking and listening. Lackner was convinced that this would “also be of great benefit in social life,” because it involves deep listening and acceptance of others.

The Archbishop also called for people to take advantage of the opportunity to help shape society in the coming election year: “We look forward to the European elections, the National Council elections, and in Salzburg also the local council elections. Here it is our special duty to act in the spirit of the bonum commune, the common good to contribute and to use our right to vote.” Especially in view of the increasing polarization, “every single voice is valuable,” appealed the archbishop.

Remember “great moments” of happiness

Linz Bishop Manfred Scheuer also referred to the interconnectedness of the many current trouble spots in his sermon on New Year’s Eve. But a fixation on the crises and catastrophes – from the climate crisis to wars, from the energy crisis to the nursing shortage – would be counterproductive: “Then we would no longer have the energy for change. Then we would lack the strength to act. And mere outrage still creates no trust, a narrow perspective leads to tunnel vision.”

On the other hand, Scheuer was convinced that a positive view of the “great moments” of the past year would help in one’s own life. “There are great moments in life that we never forget. There are great moments, experiences of happiness, joy of life, intense relationships that belong to us. Such memories are anchors of hope; they give confidence even in dark hours and do not cause despair .”

Telling “constructive stories.”

Klagenfurt Bishop Josef Marketz also referred to the need for “constructive stories”, i.e. positive stories and memories, in a service at the turn of the year. If asked what was the most important thing for them in the past year, many people would certainly answer with memories of war, terror, fears of climate change, etc. When asked about the most important events in the church, many people would probably primarily name the open construction sites or open answers to pressing questions about reform.

In order not to despair in this situation, the method tested at the Synod of Bishops in Rome would offer an answer, said Marketz: “It wasn’t the what, but the how of the deliberations. And that’s where we as a church meet with politics and journalism. It’s about the way we tell the story, the narrative, as we say today.” There is a need for stories that do not devalue, that build up and give hope: “We need constructive stories that hold the social bonds and the cultural fabric together. That promote life and give us strength and courage. Our focus should be on the good in one Focus on the situation, reinforce it and then, of course this is also part of authenticity, truthfulness, name some things in which good things are missing.”

Pay attention to togetherness

Vorarlberg Bishop Benno Elbs also called for greater cooperation at the end of the year. The increasing “elbow mentality”, but also the harsh tone in conversations, media and social networks, is putting a strain on coexistence, Elbs warned at a service on Sunday evening in St. Nicholas Cathedral in Feldkirchen. “Where there is a focus on division and devaluation of other people, countermovements are needed,” said the bishop and appealed to approach each other instead of attacking each other. “Let’s treat each other with respect and understanding. Let’s take responsibility for each other. Let’s work for charity and cohesion. And let’s not just start tomorrow, but today.”

The Feldkirch bishop saw such a service as particularly important to the unity of the church. This is a large community of many different people and views, says Elbs: “You won’t always agree. But it is all the more important to keep alive the awareness that we belong together and that one thing unites us: faith in a God who became human for all of us.” “Being Catholic means: You can’t do it without others,” Elbs added. “It takes everyone: the old and the young, the conservatives and the progressives, the academics and the workers, the pious and the doubters. They – we – are all part of the church.”

((forts. mgl.)) HKL
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