In Salzburg Cathedral, Auxiliary Bishop Hansjörg Hofer called for prayers for the people of the Holy Land. “It pains us deeply that tanks, rockets and hatred are raging today in the country where Jesus was born 2,000 years ago,” said Hofer.
In Linz Cathedral, Bishop Manfred Scheuer dedicated himself to reconciliation: “For God writes the emblem of his love and dignity, draws his blessing on the forehead of every person, on the forehead of friends and enemies.”
In St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Peter Schipka, General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, appealed to the “ability to compromise” that had made Austria strong: “The lack of compromise leads to violence – even to war.”
Looking into the election year
Salzburg Archbishop Franz Lackner also discussed the election year. “We are looking forward to the European elections, the National Council elections, and in Salzburg also the local council elections. Here it is our duty to get involved in the interests of the common good and to use our voting rights.” Especially in view of the increasing polarization, “every single voice is valuable,” said Lackner.
