Gänswein: Synodal debate about church structure obscures questions of faith. Life of faith and knowledge of faith in German-speaking countries "in free fall" - call for solidarity with persecuted Christians

Former Pope's private secretary at a lecture in Graz

Archbishop Georg Gänswein has criticized an overemphasis on church structural issues at the expense of faith. The long-time secretary of Pope Benedict XVI. (1927-2022), who now lives in Freiburg, identified a "loss of faith" in Western countries, which, however, is not given enough attention, especially in German-speaking countries. People's religious life and knowledge of faith are "in free fall," said Gänswein on Saturday at an annual meeting of the Papal relief organization "Aid to the Church in Need" in Graz.

In other continents it is often the other way around: Catholics are a minority in many countries and there are only a few structures with small communities, "but the life of faith is flourishing, joyful and lively," said the archbishop. It could be helpful here to “broaden the view of the universal church” and do “mission the other way around”. In addition, structures in the church must always serve faith and should not replace it, warned Gänswein. Where structures are no longer helpful in proclaiming the faith, they need to be changed - “and not the faith”.

The Archbishop considered it important that faith contributes to good coexistence in society. Believers should give a “witness of faith without a sour face, converse with God, ask and pray, and live a vigorous, spiritual life.”

Gänswein also called for more solidarity with persecuted Christians all over the world, as never in history have so many Christians been persecuted as in the present. “The persecuted Church has a permanent place in the Pope’s prayer life,” reported the cleric, who served as Prefect of the Pontifical Household until 2020. There is both the intention to help materially and politically, but also powerlessness. A lot happens in the background or cannot be said publicly by the Vatican "so that people are not put in danger."

Ukraine in fear

The annual meeting also discussed the plight in war-torn Ukraine. The longing of the local population after centuries of Russian oppression is enormous, said John Reves, Greek Catholic priest and head of the Byzantine Prayer Centre in Salzburg. At the moment, the fear of attacks in the coming winter is once again enormous. "Without Western help, Ukraine is at its mercy," said Reves.

The journalist and theologian Stephan Baier outlined the development of Western Ukraine, where, after times of lived diversity in the Habsburg Monarchy, there was oppression and persecution of Christians by Russia. “Putin keeps a state church that is showered with money,” said the Austria correspondent of the “Tagespost”. In return, Moscow orthodoxy approved the war, with a "patriarch as the mastermind of the war." Baier comments: "If churches demand and promote wars, then it is diabolical and healing is urgently needed."

Agnes Truger from the diocesan World House reported on aid for Ukraine from Styria. We have been working with project partners in Ukraine since 2000, initially with pastoral help and social projects. Since 2014 it has been about humanitarian aid, for example in Ivano-Frankivsk together with the local Greek Catholic Church's Caritas. “We are helping to find food, clothing, blankets, generators and psychological help because so many people are traumatized. A sense of helplessness hovers over the entire society,” said the Ukraine project officer at the World House.

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