Sign of cooperation: meeting of all recognized religious communities in parliament

2023-10-19 14:14:45

Representatives of religious societies and all factions demonstrate dialogue, cooperation and unity

Vienna (PK) – On Tuesday, representatives of all state-recognized religious communities met for the first time in the House of Representatives as part of the Platform of Churches and Religious Societies to discuss political and legal issues in Austria. “At a time when the world is characterized by tensions and conflicts, the representatives of religious communities have a particularly important role for dialogue, cooperation and unity for our free world and our Western values,” said National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka. “The meeting not only emphasizes religious freedom and interreligious understanding in Austria, but is also a strong sign of cross-party unity.” Sobotka invited church representatives and members of all parliamentary groups to a reception.

The meeting in parliament underlines the importance of dialogue between religious communities and politics in order to strengthen Austria’s pluralistic society. The historic meeting marks a significant step towards a more harmonious and inclusive society.

The meeting was attended by: General Secretary of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference Peter Schipka, Senior Church Councilor Ingrid Bachler and State Superintendent Thomas Hennefeld of the Evangelical Church A. and HB, Priest Athanasius Buk of the Orthodox (Greek-Oriental) Church, Ladislav Margula of the Israelite Religious Society, President Ümit Vural of the Islamic Religious Community (IGGÖ), local council leader Jonathan Gabriel and Chorepiskopos Emanuel Aydin of the Syrian Orthodox Church, Bishop Maria Kubin of the Old Catholic Church of Austria, regional superintendent Stefan Schröckenfuchs of the United Methodist Church, President Simon Soucek of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Shepherd Walter Hessler of the New Apostolic Church, President Gerhard Weißgrab and Vice President Erika Erber of the Austrian Buddhist Religious Society as well as the chairman Pastor Franz Gollatz of the Free Churches. After the exchange, the participants were led through the house by MPs Gudrun Kugler (ÖVP), who helped organize the meeting, and Martin Litschauer (GREEN). The MPs Elisabeth Feichtinger (SPÖ), Philipp Schrangl (FPÖ) and Karl Arlamovsky (NEOS) also came to the reception. (End) red

A NOTICE: Photos regarding this event can be found in Parliament web portal .

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