On December 3rd at 12.30 p.m. on ORF 2
Vienna (OTS) – Sandra Szabo will present the following articles in the ORF religious magazine “Orientation” on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. on ORF 2:
Bishop Benno Elbs – troubleshooter in Vaduz
Vorarlberg’s Bishop Benno Elbs has also been entrusted with the leadership of the Archdiocese of Vaduz for two months. After the departure of the controversial Archbishop Wolfgang Haas, whose term of office was marked by conflicts within the church, he is supposed to smooth things over in the Liechtenstein archdiocese. It is not the first time that the trained psychotherapist has been used as a troubleshooter in crises within the church. Switzerland correspondent Marion Flatz-Mäser accompanied Bishop Elbs in his new area of Vaduz.
Statistics required: 50-year time limit regulation
After heated socio-political debates, the deadline regulation was decided by the National Council on November 29, 1973. Since then, abortion within the first three months has been exempt from punishment. In contrast to other countries, in Austria not even the Catholic bishops question the law. However, they are calling for scientific support for the deadline regulation in order to be able to help affected women. The demand of “aktion leben” for anonymous statistics has so far failed due to resistance from left-wing parties.
A studio conversation with Martina Kronthaler, general secretary of “aktion leben österreich”
Threatened Culture: The Slow Death of Tibet
Religion and state are officially separated in Tibet. Nevertheless, the question of who will succeed the now 88-year-old Dalai Lama plays an important role for the future of the country. China could appoint a successor of its own to further expand its influence in the country it has occupied since 1950. The Tibetan language and culture are already being systematically suppressed and pushed back. The secular leader of the exiled Tibetans, Penpa Tsering, is criticizing this in Vienna these days. Konstantin Obermayr met him and spoke to him about the future of Tibet and the Dalai Lama.
Band included: singing without prerequisites
The music group “Faith4U&Me” is a very special ensemble. Six people with disabilities make music together with family members and friends. On the occasion of the International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3rd (details on the ORF program focus at https://presse.ORF.at), the inclusive band helps organize a church service in St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The “Orientation” visited the musicians at rehearsals. And it examines the question of how people with disabilities can be meaningfully included in the area of teaching faith and organizing church services. Sandra Szabo reports.