Kickl's Speech at FPÖ Party Congress Drew Criticism from the Church

The chairman of the Austrian Bishops' Conference, the Archbishop of Salzburg Franz Lackner, warned on Monday that "religion is being co-opted and instrumentalized for party politics."

Church Criticism of Kickl Speech

Faith, hope, and love are fundamental virtues for all Christians, "but if attempts are made to force these virtues into the corset of party politics, then faith threatens to become doubt, hope fear, and love hate," Lackner explained in a written statement to "Kathpress." Bishops, dioceses, and communities have been committed to a "free church in a free state" since 1952, said the chairman of the Bishops' Conference. "So it must concern us all the more that in recent times - in the world, but especially in Austria - religion is once again being co-opted and instrumentalized for party politics."

The FPÖ leader had drawn on the Apostle Paul in his party congress speech on Saturday and promised to return "faith, hope, and love" to the people. Already during the election campaign before the national election last year, church representatives had criticized biblical references in the FPÖ campaign.

(APA/Red)

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