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Schönborn celebrates Easter high office in almost empty St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn celebrated the Easter high office in the almost empty St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna on Sunday because of the corona crisis. In his sermon, the cardinal recalled the reconstruction of the burnt down St. Stephen’s Cathedral 75 years ago and the “ways of life of Jesus” that were necessary for this – namely service, compassion and willingness to work for others.

“The Spirit of Jesus has moved many people to rebuild St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to rebuild our country, and we continue to benefit from it to this day. This spirit will also be necessary in the future,” said Schönborn in his sermon, which “Kathpress” published in full.

Parts of the cathedral had become a fire by fire on April 12, 1945, 75 years ago. “The huge roof collapsed, the giant organ went up in flames, the choir stalls burned,” recalled Schönborn: “The cathedral was crying and people were crying.” And then Cardinal Innitzer came and comforted the people and said matter-of-factly: “Well, we will just have to rebuild it”, says Schönborn: “And it actually succeeded. The Austrian people rebuilt the cathedral in an incredible way. “

Although this year Easter Sunday is not as festive as usual and the planned inauguration of the renewed giant organ cannot yet take place, it is “full of confidence”, the archbishop emphasized. He sees several reasons for hope at Easter 2020, said Schönborn. These are, for example, the “good institutions in our country”. The health system, the rule of law and the welfare state, the solid economy as well as the churches and religious communities would prove their worth in the current crisis. This has to do with Easter in that “we place common ground over individual interests,” said the cardinal: “And that is exactly the key to the Easter secret.”

Due to the pandemic protection requirements, the Easter high office only took place with a minimal cast for the celebration, music and liturgical design. ORF III broadcast live.


Source: APA

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