Austrian Bishops emphasise love for enemies as they discuss Synodality

Bishops discuss Synodality in Mariazell

Plenary assembly of Bishops lasts until Wednesday - Auxiliary Bishop Hofer emphasizes readiness for Christian love of enemies at Mass with the episcopate

When the working document for the worldwide synod of bishops in October is presented in the Vatican on Tuesday afternoon, the subject of Synodality will also be at the centre of the deliberations of the Austrian bishops in Mariazell. The second day of the summer plenary assembly of the bishops' conference was opened with a mass at the altar of grace in the basilica. In the sermon, the Salzburg Auxiliary Bishop Hansjörg Hofer addressed the enduring claim on Christians to live the love of enemies demanded by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

No word of Jesus challenges people as much as the command to love one's enemies, according to the auxiliary bishop, referring to the Gospel of the day. "As long as this word makes us uneasy, nothing is lost," says Hofer, who warned against the tendency to "take the tips and edges away" from this scriptural word. The minimum that needs to be met is "that like is not repaid with like and that you don't succumb to hatred". This must always be considered when dealing with enemies. For example, in warlike situations, the enemy should always be given what he needs.

"Jesus expects us to change our attitude", this is the core of the commandment to love enemies. This "honest benevolence" towards the enemy can only succeed "if one is willing to surpass oneself and look at everything from God's point of view". From this perspective, everyone, including personal enemies, is a creature of God. "Let us ask God to help us see the enemy with different eyes," said the auxiliary bishop. "The commandment to love your enemy is about really trying and starting again and again - that's what counts in the end."

Advice on synodality

The bishops' conference has invited two speakers from Germany to the upcoming consultations on synodality on Tuesday afternoon: the Fulda diocesan bishop Michael Gerber, who will be connected via video, and the nun and theologian Igna Kramp. Members of the national synod team and participants in the continental assembly in Prague also take part in the discussions of the episcopate on this subject. These are the Viennese pastoral theologian and sociologist of religion Prof. Regina Polak, the Innsbruck Caritas director Elisabeth Rathgeb, the Rector of the Church University of Education (KPH) in Innsbruck, Petra Steinmair-Pösel, the Salzburg theologian Markus Welte and the Europe officer of the Bishops' Conference, Johannes Moravitz

A meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio to Austria, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, is scheduled for Wednesday, the last day of the Assembly. At the end of the conference, the Austrian bishops will celebrate a festive service at 11.15 a.m. in the pilgrimage basilica of Mariazell, to which the faithful are invited. The Linz Diocesan Bishop Manfred Scheuer will preside over the Mass. The Vice President of the Bishops' Conference will also preach.

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