Church Discovers Militant Christianity
- A recent "Presse"-Rundfrage explored the perspectives of bishops, politicians, and theologians on the role of the Church in contemporary society, notably in light of controversies such as the...
- Cardinal Christoph Schönborn voiced strong criticism regarding the Jesus caricatures by Gerhard Haderer.
- Despite his firm stance, Schönborn does not see his actions as a sign of newfound self-confidence after years of crisis within the Catholic Church in Austria.
Church Leaders and Politicians Discuss the Role of the Church in Modern Society
Table of Contents
- Church Leaders and Politicians Discuss the Role of the Church in Modern Society
- The Church in Modern Society: A Q&A on its Role, Assertiveness, and Future
- Key questions Addressed
- Q&A: Exploring the Church’s Role in Modern Society
- Q1: What was Cardinal Schönborn’s reaction to the Jesus caricatures, and what broader principles did he emphasize?
- Q2: Did cardinal Schönborn view his reaction to the caricatures as a sign of newfound self-confidence within the Catholic Church?
- Q3: What is Cardinal Schönborn’s view on the concept of the Church embracing a more “assertive Christianity?”
- Q4: How dose Bishop Kurt Krenn view the idea of the Church adopting a stronger presence?
- Q5: What is Paul M. Zulehner’s, a pastoral theologian, perspective on the Church’s current position?
- Q6: How do political leaders view the role of the Church and its recent actions?
- Q7: What is Ewald Stadler’s perspective on “assertive Christianity?”
- Q8: What is “assertive christianity”, and how do religious leaders view it?
- Q9: What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the Church in modern society?
- Summary of Key Perspectives
- Conclusion
A recent “Presse”-Rundfrage explored the perspectives of bishops, politicians, and theologians on the role of the Church in contemporary society, notably in light of controversies such as the debate surrounding Jesus caricatures. Key questions included whether the Church has overcome its crises, rediscovered its self-confidence, and embraced a more assertive stance.
Cardinal Schönborn on Respect and Freedom
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn voiced strong criticism regarding the Jesus caricatures by Gerhard Haderer. He stated, “Man stelle sich vor, ein solches Buch wäre in Österreich über Mohammed erschienen. Wie kommen die Muslime dazu, daß sie jenen, den sie lieben, verächtlich gemacht sehen. Ich wäre der Erste, der protestieren würde. Das hat nichts mehr mit Humor zu tun.”
Despite his firm stance, Schönborn does not see his actions as a sign of newfound self-confidence after years of crisis within the Catholic Church in Austria. “Das, was ich gesagt habe, gilt zu jeder Zeit,” he asserted, adding, “ob wir in einer kommunistischen Diktatur leben oder in einer freien Demokratie.”
When asked about the Church embracing a more assertive form of Christianity, Schönborn responded, “Das ist ein Unfug. Es geht um die demokratischen Umgangsformen in einem Rechtsstaat. Das gilt nicht nur für die religiösen Gefühle, das gilt auch für Minoritäten. Es geht im Grunde um die frage, ob Freiheit heißt, die Grundlagen der Freiheit zu zerstören.”
Diverging Views on the Church’s Assertiveness
Bishop Kurt Krenn of St. Pölten expressed a desire for the Church to adopt a stronger presence,though he remains skeptical about whether this will occur. When questioned about whether recent conflicts indicate a renewed sense of self-confidence, Krenn responded, “Schön wär’s. Es ist sicher ein Zeichen von notwendigem selbstbewusstsein, denn wir haben etwas zu sagen. Ich bin nicht so sicher, ob wir schon den Mut haben, den wir brauchen. in den letzten Jahren hat es mehr ein Wegschauen gegeben und das Bemühen, nur ruhe zu haben. Wir müssen gegen diese Versuchung zur Schlauheit kämpfen. wir müsse deutlicher reden und handeln.”
The Concept of Assertive Christianity
Regarding the idea of assertive Christianity, Bishop Krenn stated, “Ich habe nichts gegen das wehrhafte Christentum. Ich wünsche mir sehnlich Selbstbewusstsein in der Kirche.”
Theologian’s Viewpoint on the Church’s Position
Paul M. Zulehner, a pastoral theologian at the University of Vienna, believes the timing is favorable for the Church. “Die Lage generell ist neu. Die Kirche hat den Eindruck, daß man jetzt wieder zu einer sachlichen Arbeit kommt. Seit mitte der 90er Jahre ist ein Megatrend der Respiritualisierung in der Gesellschaft zu verzeichnen. Die Kirche profitiert davon ungewollt und unverdient.” He attributes this unearned benefit to the Church’s failure to implement reforms,noting that renewal efforts have become “leider sehr schwach geworden.”
Zulehner also points out,”Die gesellschaftlich sensiblen Themen,wie zum Beispiel Biotechnik,nehmen mit einer Wucht zu,daß die Kirche wieder in eine bessere Position gelangt.”
Political Perspectives on the Church’s Role
VP-Klubchef Andreas Khol holds a different view, stating, “Die Krise ist noch nicht überwunden. Der Kirchenbesuch wird weiter zurückgehen, die Religiosität wird steigen, die Kirchlichkeit wird sinken.” Nevertheless, he believes, “Es ist absolut notwendig, daß die katholische Kirche selbstbewußter auftritt und auch von ihren Angehörigen verlangt, daß sie sich nicht alles gefallen lassen.” Referring to the bishops’ stance against the caricature book, he added, “Als Katholik macht mir Mut, daß sich die Kirche nicht mehr von vornherein verkriecht, sondern, daß die Kirche bestimmt auftritt.” He hopes bishops will take a proactive role in essential issues and guide lay organizations.
SP-Vorsitzender Alfred Gusenbauer acknowledges the delicate balance required for bishops making public statements on political and social issues. ”Niemand will eine parteipolitische Kirche, die Kirche darf nicht politisch vereinnehmbar sein,” he stated. However, he expressed disappointment that the Church’s support for the Sozialstaat-Volksbegehren was not more pronounced.
Gusenbauer also noted, “Es gibt vermehrt eine Sinnsuche der Menschen in einer Welt, in der sich alles enorm schnell verändert.Das Bedürfnis der Menschen, einen roten Faden zu haben, ist vorhanden. Ob sie den in der Kirche finden, das ist noch nicht entschieden.”
Additional Views on the Church’s Direction
Madeleine Petrovic, the green Vizechefin, sees the Church as being in a process of clarification. “Es ist legitim, daß es in einer riesigen, weltweiten Organisation progressive und konservative Kräfte gibt.” However, she believes demonstrating strength through a caricature book is “das absolut Falsche.” She argues the Church’s role should be to serve those in “mißlichen Situationen.”
Petrovic reflects, “Ich denke mir oft, wo Christus heute leben würde: in den Salons der oberen Zehntausend oder bei den Kindern am Karlsplatz. Ich habe keinen Zweifel, daß er bei den Kindern am Karlsplatz wäre.”
The Concept of assertive Christianity Revisited
ewald Stadler, the Volksanwalt, who introduced the concept of assertive Christianity into FP-Programmdiskussion in the mid-90s, argues similarly to Krenn. “Das, was wir erleben, ist in Ansätzen das wehrhafte Christentum. Der Kurs des Arrangierens in den letzten 20, 30 Jahren hat dazu geführt, daß die Kirche in Bedeutungslosigkeit versunken ist. Das hat nichts gebracht, außer, daß das Christentum in einem Land mit einer tausendjährigen Tradition fast schon ins hintertreffen geraten ist.”
Key Takeaways
- The role of the Church in modern society is a subject of ongoing debate among religious leaders, politicians, and theologians.
- Controversies,such as those surrounding religious caricatures,highlight the complexities of freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs.
- There are differing views on whether the Church should adopt a more assertive stance in public discourse.
- The Church’s ability to connect with people seeking meaning in a rapidly changing world remains uncertain.
The Church in Modern Society: A Q&A on its Role, Assertiveness, and Future
This article explores the multifaceted role of the Church in contemporary society through the perspectives of key religious figures, politicians, and theologians. It addresses critical questions surrounding the Church’s self-confidence, its response to controversies like religious caricatures, and whether it should adopt a more assertive stance in public discourse.
Key questions Addressed
How do Church leaders and politicians view the role of the Church today?
What are the different perspectives on the concept of “assertive Christianity?”
how is the Church navigating challenges related to freedom of expression and religious sensitivities?
What are the predicted trends for the Church’s influence and relevance in the future?
Q&A: Exploring the Church’s Role in Modern Society
Q1: What was Cardinal Schönborn’s reaction to the Jesus caricatures, and what broader principles did he emphasize?
A1: Cardinal Christoph Schönborn strongly criticized the Jesus caricatures. He emphasized the importance of respecting religious sentiments, drawing a parallel to potential caricatures of Muhammad and asserting that such portrayals go beyond the bounds of humor. He stated he would protest similar depictions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He affirmed his stance applies irrespective of the political climate, be it a “communist dictatorship or in a free democracy”.
Actionable Insight: Schönborn’s reaction underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs.
Q2: Did cardinal Schönborn view his reaction to the caricatures as a sign of newfound self-confidence within the Catholic Church?
A2: No, Schönborn explicitly stated that his actions were not indicative of newfound self-confidence within the church after years of crisis.He emphasized that his principles apply nonetheless of the prevailing political or social context.
Q3: What is Cardinal Schönborn’s view on the concept of the Church embracing a more “assertive Christianity?”
A3: Schönborn dismisses the idea of “assertive Christianity” as nonsense (“Das ist ein Unfug.”).He emphasizes the importance of democratic norms and the rule of law, arguing that freedom should not be used to undermine the very foundations of freedom, including respect for religious feelings and minority rights.
Q4: How dose Bishop Kurt Krenn view the idea of the Church adopting a stronger presence?
A4: Bishop Kurt Krenn desires a stronger presence for the Church and expresses a longing for self-confidence within the Church (“Ich wünsche mir sehnlich Selbstbewusstsein in der Kirche.”). While he believes recent conflicts signal necessary self-confidence, he remains skeptical about whether the Church has the courage it needs. He criticizes past tendencies to avoid conflict and urges for clearer communication and action.
Actionable Insight: Krenn’s viewpoint highlights a desire for the Church to be more proactive and assertive in defending its values.
Q5: What is Paul M. Zulehner’s, a pastoral theologian, perspective on the Church’s current position?
A5: Paul M.Zulehner believes the timing is favorable for the Church, attributing this to a “megatrend of respiritualization” in society since the mid-1990s. He suggests the Church benefits from this trend “unintentionally and undeservedly” due to its failure to implement reforms. He also notes that increasingly sensitive social issues, like biotechnology, are placing the Church in a more prominent position.
Q6: How do political leaders view the role of the Church and its recent actions?
A6: Political leaders hold diverse views:
Andreas Khol (VP): Believes the Church crisis is not over but finds it encouraging that the Church is standing up for its beliefs. He hopes bishops will take proactive roles in essential issues, guiding lay organizations.
Alfred Gusenbauer (SP): Acknowledges the need for a balanced approach in the Church’s public statements on political and social issues, cautioning against being aligned to any political party. He notes a growing search for meaning among people, whether or not the church meets this need remains to be seen.
Madeleine Petrovic (greens): Sees the Church undergoing a clarification process and argues that demonstrating strength through a caricature book is wrong. She emphasizes the Church’s role in serving those in difficult situations.
Q7: What is Ewald Stadler’s perspective on “assertive Christianity?”
A7: Ewald Stadler argues that the recent actions reflect the beginnings of “wehrhaftes Christentum” (defensive/militant Christianity). He believes the Church’s past approach of avoiding confrontation has led to its decline in relevance and that Christianity is losing ground despite its long tradition.
Q8: What is “assertive christianity”, and how do religious leaders view it?
A8: “Assertive Christianity,” or “wehrhaftes Christentum” as termed by some, implies a more proactive and confident stance by the Church in defending its values and engaging in public discourse. Views vary:
bishop Krenn: Expresses a desire for a more assertive Church.
cardinal Schönborn: Rejects the notion of assertive Christianity, prioritizing democratic norms and respect.
Ewald Stadler: Argues that assertive Christianity is necessary to counter the Church’s declining relevance.
Q9: What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the Church in modern society?
A9: Based on the various perspectives, key challenges and opportunities include:
Challenges: Overcoming internal crises, adapting to changing societal values, balancing tradition wiht reform, and remaining relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Opportunities: Capitalizing on the growing “respiritualization” trend, providing guidance on complex ethical issues (e.g., biotechnology), and meeting the public’s need for meaning and purpose.
Summary of Key Perspectives
| Figure | Perspective |
| —————— | ————————————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Schönborn | Emphasizes democratic norms, respect for religious feelings, and rejects “assertive Christianity.” |
| Krenn | desires a stronger,more assertive church with greater self-confidence. |
| Zulehner | Believes the Church benefits from a societal shift towards respiritualization but needs internal reforms. |
| Khol | encouraged by the Church standing up for beliefs, needs proactive bishops. |
| Gusenbauer | Cautions against political alignment, notes the public’s search for meaning.|
| Petrovic | Highlights the Church’s role in serving vulnerable populations. |
| Stadler | Advocates for “assertive Christianity” to counter the Church’s declining relevance. |
Conclusion
The Rundfrage reveals a complex and evolving landscape for the Church in modern society. While challenges persist, opportunities exist for the Church to redefine its role and connect with individuals seeking meaning and guidance in an increasingly complex world.