“It is a celebration of departure”: Catholic Action celebrated its 75th anniversary in Linz

“It’s about pilgrimage in the now – that’s why today let’s walk these paths of gratitude, dialogue and joy of life together,” says Ferdinand Kaineder, President of the Catholic Action Austria (KAÖ) at the 75th anniversary celebration of the official lay organization Catholic Church on Thursday in the New Town Hall in Linz. Around 300 guests from the various sub-organizations, the church and politics celebrated together on Ascension Day.

“It is a celebration of departure,” says theologian Klara-Antonia Csiszar in her speech during the Eucharist celebration in the morning. According to Pope Francis, the shift towards synodality – i.e. a church of togetherness – is “the path that God expects from the church of the 3rd millennium”. According to Csiszar, synodality is “the prerequisite for a new missionary awakening of the church, for a new momentum that involves the entire people of God.” She reminds us that the KA also knows other sounds from Rome, “tones of rebuke, tones of distrust”. “You were often too early in history and, like the prophets, you had to endure a lot and learn patience. But you have not grown tired and are now announcing a departure – in sync with Rome,” says the theologian.

The conviction of those present for Catholic Action and its sub-organizations, such as the Catholic Youth Group and Youth, the Catholic Men’s and Women’s Movement or the Catholic Workers’ Representatives, becomes noticeable during the service – those present enthusiastically sing along to the songs, clap and dance to them . Gratitude for the community is the focus. Just like the way into the future: Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl from Graz, who is responsible for the KAÖ and leads the service, says that the Good News is in danger of being lost between neon signs and social media bubbles – the mission is to prevent that . “If we seek ‘depth and breadth’ to find the future, then we must become a church of listening and understanding.”

Politicians discussed the future of the KA

The dialogue that KAÖ President Kaineder spoke about at the beginning was part of the entire celebration. Talking to each other, changing places, getting to know new people – is “very welcome”. Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), National Council member Reinhold Lopatka (ÖVP), National Council member Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ) and Federal Councilor Karl Arthur Arlamovsky (Neos) also discussed the future of the KAÖ at a panel discussion in the afternoon. This meant that all parties sitting in parliament were represented – with the exception of the FPÖ, which did not accept the invitation, as moderator Michael Fahrner-Glatz said. As moderator, Sigrid Kickingerder, managing director of the Jungeschar, asked the first question: What points of connection do politicians have with Catholic Action? Except for Arlamovsky, everyone was active in the Catholic youth group and youth. “I also sang briefly in the church choir – but we then separated amicably, that was probably the best solution for everyone,” said Holzleitner and laughs. Lopatka also shared an anecdote: “I fell in love for the first time as a little boy in the group of boys.”

Catholic Action should remain loud in the future for those who are not heard enough, says Holzleitner. It was only because the pressure from civil society was so high that a compromise was reached on the supply chain law. Gewessler also emphasizes that standing up for those who cannot do so is important for the future of the KA. And: “Continue to get involved instead of retreating into comfort.” Don’t lose touch with each other, advises Lopatka. And Arlamovsky recommends that the KA retain the ability to reflect.

After the presentation of the new future manifesto, in which the KA states that it wants to continue to form communities with people, raise its voice and be the vanguard for a new church presence in society, the Vierkanter performed. With their funny songs, they made people laugh after the more serious topics. At the end, the joy of life – the last path mentioned by Kaineder – was given its due.