Future of the Church: Schönborn about hopes and challenges

Future of the Church: Schönborn about hopes and challenges

The future of the Catholic Church in Europe is on the brink of the brink and that in the heart of Vienna. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn recently said in a press conference that the appointment of a new cardinal from Austria by Pope Francis was by no means safe. According to Schönborn, this is particularly visible when one consider that the Pope has systematically appointed new cardinals in numerous countries in recent years, also in Asia with only a small number of believers. The Viennese archbishop referred to the changing weighting of traditional cardinal in Europe and emphasized that the influence of the European Church is disappearing, while new perspectives appear, such as those of cardinals in regions that are advised to refer to "peripheral". The words of Schönborn are urgently: "Maybe in Austria there will be a very charismatic or fascinating figure that moves the Pope to appoint it as a cardinal," he said. However, the cardinal has no influence on these decisions and sees himself as a spectator in the process of these appointments, as he in an interview with Kathpress In the middle of this professional uncertainties, Cardinal Schönborn also looks back on his own experiences, including his deep connection with the arms. "The encounter with a homeless person showed me: the gospel is true," the cardinal recalled at a blessing service in the Vienna St. St. href = "https://de.catholicnewsagecy.com/news/18043/begegeggung-mit-arminal-kardinal-schonborn-feiht- das-Evangangelium-IT-IT"> CNA German reported . Despite his upcoming withdrawal at the age of 80 in January 2025, he intends to continue to be active for those in need, which is important to him. Schönborn is optimistic about the future of the church, believes that it stays alive and is planning a service to celebrate his term. He soon has to submit his responsibility as an upper shepherd, but his commitment to the poor and the gospel remains unbroken and firmly anchored in his person.