During visit to Austria, pope expected to strengthen faith's impact

Published: 2007-08-30

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI makes his first papal visit to Austria in early September, a three-day mission to strengthen the faith and its public impact in one of Europe's traditionally Catholic countries. The visit Sept. 7-9 will focus on the 850th anniversary of the Marian sanctuary at Mariazell, which has long been a spiritual beacon for Central Europe. In keeping with the theme of the visit, "Look to Christ," the pope is expected to emphasize Mary's role as a gateway to faith in Jesus and as a model of the church as mother. The rest of the pope's schedule is designed to spotlight the importance of the Christian faith in Austrian history, the church's recent signs of parish vitality, and its presence in social debates and works of charity. Among Austrian church leaders, the hope is that the papal visit will mark a new and positive chapter after a troubled period. Over the last 10 years the number of Austrian Catholics declined by 6 percent, partly as a result of a seminary sex scandal and a bishop's resignation, as well as new tensions between lay Catholics and the hierarchy.

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