The Archbishop of Vienna, who earlier
warned that Christians faced being pushed aside by a growing
Islamisation of Europe, has published a brochure to ask migrants and
refugees to respect Christian symbols, traditions and culture.
With the brochure titled "Grüß Gott in Österreich" (‘God's Greetings in
Austria’) the Catholic Church in Austria said it was hoping to take a
step towards being involved in the integration of new migrants in the
country.
According to 71-year-old Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, who is also the
Archbishop of Vienna, migrants are increasingly curious about Austrian
traditions. He said that many aspects of Austrian culture, from
Christmas to a labour-free Sunday, but also tolerance and religious
freedom, have their roots in Christianity.
The Cardinal said: "The brochure will help migrants to understand the Christian roots of Austria."
The brochure has been printed bilingually in German-Arabic and
German-Farsi. An English language version is to follow soon. The initial
circulation of the brochure is 34,000 copies.
The Austrian Catholic Church has recently been hardening its stance against migrants.
Cardinal Schönborn, who has been tipped to be the next Pope, has
controversially warned that Muslims want to eradicate Christians and
conquer Europe.
The Cardinal made the warning on 12th September during a special
celebration for the Church festival "Holy Name of Mary", which was first
introduced 333 years ago to commemorate victory over the Ottomans in
the Battle of Vienna (1683).
The Cardinal said, according to the Archdiocese of Vienna: "Will there
be an Islamic conquest of Europe? Many Muslims want that and say: Europe
is at its end."
He asked God to have mercy on Europe and to show mercy to its people,
which he said "are in danger of forfeiting our Christian heritage".
Schönborn explained that people could already feel this loss, "not only
economically, but above all, in human and religious matters".