The New Movement in Austria have been living the “heartbeat of synodality” for years, emphasised “JAKOB” director, Angelika Hirschenberger in a dispatch on Thursday. As communities, they are “on the Path together: listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other, in constant exchange” – and all this with a strong connection to the local Church under the leadership of the respective Diocesan Bishop. In addition, New Movements always seek “synodal co-operation” with existing structures of the Catholic Church, Hirschenberger mentioned parishes, dioceses or also the large network of Catholic Action as examples of this.For many years, “JAKOB” has linked more than 100 movements, orders and initiatives in the area of youth and young adults that are not part of the local Church and thus – according to the Executive Director – makes the diverse Catholic youth pastoral in Austria visible. Groupings would be supported “to become even more fruitfully involved in the structures of the Church”.KAÖ President Kaineder, who in her view was pushing “a counterpart of New Movements and Catholic Action”, had invited her to a personal exchange soon to clear up misunderstandings, Hirschenberger said. The Church needs “true synodality” and thus common listening to each other, real openness to diversity within the Catholic Church and dialogue instead of “inner-church enemy images” and ideologisation. “Sincere and honest bridge-building, not erecting walls”, would take the Church further.
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New Movements and Catholic Action clash in Austria
New Movements and Catholic Action clash in Austria
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