Archbishop Lackner and Chancellor Stocker: Together for Austria's future!

Archbishop Lackner and Chancellor Stocker: Together for Austria's future!

Bundeskanzleramt, Wien, Österreich - On April 10, 2025, Archbishop Franz Lackner, who has been Chairman of the Austrian Bishops' Conference since 2020, met Chancellor Christian Stocker in the Federal Chancellery. At this meeting, which was perceived as very constructive, important topics such as social cohesion, relationships between the state and the church and international challenges focus on. Lackner reported a "very good conversation" in which both sides emphasized that politics and church had to be responsible for the common good. He found praising words for Stocker's takeover of the Chancellery in a difficult time.

Archbishop Lackner emphasized that the church would like to actively enter the democratic discourse, especially on questions of protection of life. This commitment takes place in the context of a significant social change, as already addressed in the impulses of the second Vatican Council. The council fathers placed emphasis on the need that the relationship between the church and the state is designed in the sense of the well -being of people and reacted to the social changes that have taken place since then.

cooperation between the church and state

Lackner pointed to the numerous fields of activity in which the state and church cooperate closely, including Caritas, education and peace care. These forms of cooperation are necessary at a time when social distance to religious institutions is growing. In his explanations, he emphasized the potential that is based on these partnerships and how they can contribute to the promotion of justice and the well -being of society.

Federal Chancellor Stocker confirmed the positive relationships between the state and the church and praised the church as an important social partner. He thanked Lackner for the appreciative togetherness and the constructive conversations that both sides have sought. These statements fit into the context of the dynamic discussions about the relationship between church, state and society that are conducted in Europe, including Austria. The Chancellor emphasized that both institutions have a joint responsibility.

social challenges and future impulses

In view of the challenges in front of which Austria faces, it is crucial that both the church and the state are ready to pull together. The debates about religious neutrality, social integration and mutual respect are central issues that are becoming increasingly important in view of the social upheavals in Western Europe. In the past, Lackner has already pointed out the need to stand up for minority and human rights issues as the Council intended.

Archbishop Lackner's commitment, especially in the current social and political landscape, shows the relevance of the Council impulses five hundred years after its farewell. The Council documents demand adequate cooperation between the church and the state to promote the common good and to respect the rights of all people.

The dialogue between Archbishop Lackner and Chancellor Stocker is therefore not only a snapshot in the social discourse, but an expression of the endeavor to put the cooperation between the church and the state on a new basis and to actively contribute to solving the challenges that shape society today.

ots.at reports that the conversation offers a positive view of the future partnership. Historical contexts and developments, as described in the debates about the relationship between church, state and society, are of crucial importance. You can find more information about Archbishop Franz Lackner on the page of wikipedia , while the background to the current challenges and the dynamic relationship between the institutions in the impulses of the Council on Feinschwarz are shown in detail.