Peace message for Christmas Eve: Bishop Scheuer demands hope and courage!

Peace message for Christmas Eve: Bishop Scheuer demands hope and courage!

Linz, Österreich - Linz, December 24, 2024-In the middle of the more tense political atmosphere around the Ukraine conflict, the Linz Bishop Manfred Scheuer comments on the current challenges. In an interview with the "Upper Austria Nachrichten", Scheuer emphasizes that pacifism is not enough to avoid conflicts. Instead, he considers the use of violence to be necessary as a justified defense against aggression. "Starting the aggressor is a service to human rights," he explains. However, Scheuer warns that the ongoing war rhetoric is anchored in the minds of people, which could have dangerous social consequences, similar to after the First World War, as he cited.

social media and peace

Another central concern of the bishop is the role of social media in today's society. According to Scheuer, these could rather poison the cooperation instead of promoting it. He critically notes: "Whoever says that these channels would make people more freely and informed is a fool or a strategic seducer of the masses." The bishop advocates positive communication and warns of vigilance against the dangers of racism and anti -Semitism. At the same time, he expresses his gratitude for the peace of the past 80 years and warns of the possible loss of this heritage.

In addition, Scheuer speaks about the difficult concept of reconciliation in the context of conflicts. "Resurrection means that it will be good again," he emphasizes and emphasizes that death does not have the last word. In a world full of conflicts and hostility, he sees the need to promote common human values in order to enable a real dialogue, as is conveyed in religious traditions. This appeal for hope and charity represents a central message in the current crisis period, which appeals to Scheuer with emphasis to raise awareness of peace and cohesion, although the concrete problems, as in the Ukraine conflict, make a solution to a long way.

These topics are particularly relevant in view of the ongoing global conflicts, such as in the Ukraine conflict and the fights in Africa that receive little international attention as long as economic interests dominate. The bishop states that the question of hope and human interaction must never lose urgency, as he also emphasizes in a conversation with the courier.