On Saturday the Archbishop of Vienna predicted that when Benedict XVI visits Austria in early September, he will mostly likely urge people to embrace a greater respect for life throughout the country.Cardinal Christoph Schönborn and Bishop Egon Kapellari of Graz-Seckau visited the Pope on August 18 to discuss his upcoming visit to Austria which will take place from September 7 to 9.
During an interview with Vatican Radio later that day, Schönborn referred to the lack of respect in Austria as "great wound."
He said it "exists in many European countries, but above all in ours, in Austria, where the 'yes' to life-whether to its beginning or its natural end-is more and more up for discussion."
While respect for life has deteriorated in the culture, the Catholic Church actively supports life from conception till death.
As the Cardinal emphasized, "The Church is very active in this sphere whether it is to help women in difficulty welcome their own child, or to favour the alternative to euthanasia, that is, the network of houses in which there is a human and Christian accompaniment of the dying."
"All of these initiatives are closely linked to the Church and produce a positive effect on society," he declared.
Despite these continued efforts, Catholics must provide a stronger commitment to life.
He also highlighted the increasing poverty in the country, and spoke about the situation as a result of globalization.
Despite these discouraging facts, however, the Cardinal sees great hope for the state of Catholicism in Austria.
"After very difficult years," he observed, "we are witnessing awareness, a more explicit sense of courage among Austrian Christians, who more and more feel that this society of ours needs the Gospel, faith and prayer."
Referring to Benedict XVI's upcoming visit, Schönborn explained that the Pope will surely encourage the faith in Austria.
He said, "We expect from the Pope encouragement and strengthening in the faith, because this has always been Peter's task: Strengthen your brothers."
He stated, "And I believe that Benedict XVI will come among us 'to show the beauty of the faith,' to show how beautiful it is to follow Christ."
He concluded, "We await this encouragement with joy."
The Pope's encouragement is especially welcome in a country where abortion on demand at up to three months gestation has been legal since 1975.
According to a Human Life International report in 2002, Austria kills approximately 80,000 babies a year by abortion.
This number exceeds the number of annual births in Austria which is around 75,000.
UNICEF statistics from 2005 also state that the Austrian birth rate of 1.4 children per woman (one of the lowest in Europe) has declined from 2.3 in 1970 when abortion was still illegal in Austria.
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