Van der Bellen and Schönborn: Taking Refugees – Politics

On Christmas Eve, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Cardinal Christoph Schönborn emphatically reiterated their call to accept refugees from Greek camps. On the ORF program “Licht ins Dunkel”, the head of state and the Archbishop of Vienna called for “first aid” and “humanity”.

This emergency situation prevails in the Greek camps, “which requires first aid,” Van der Bellen said. He called on children to set an example now, especially children, and reminded them that they “live on earth” and that the situation in Europe is unworthy. Solving the big issues, like immigration policy, would take weeks and months, so something needs to be done now.

The federal president urged the Austrians to be optimistic. You spend your life better with courage and confidence. You can see that pretty well with the corona pandemic. They learned to live with masks and without a handshake. However, earlier than initially expected, there is now a vaccine. That shows that things happen that fill you with confidence, Van der Bellen said.

Schönborn told the refugees in the Greek camps that “the trouble” was that these people had become “part of a political game.” He understands that the government is having a hard time, but politics should not have the last word, but “humanity”. The Archbishop of Vienna asked people to think about their path towards the concrete situation of people living in unworthy conditions and also called for European solutions. Europe must say that something like this should not take place on European soil.

As a Christmas message, the cardinal formulated that God had entered this world and that, therefore, the world was not lost, not even in times of the crown pandemic. In this context, Schönborn pointed out that fear is not a good counselor. The great wisdom of all religions is “today”. You cannot guarantee that you will be alive tomorrow. He had experienced it firsthand last year with his illness, when he hardly missed death.

The president of the Community of Islamic Faith in Austria (IGGiÖ), Ümit Vural, emphasized that religious communities are a “voice of reason” and represent solidarity. After the terrorist attack in Vienna, the republic and society reacted correctly with more cohesion. In this context, Vural thanked Schönborn for bringing the religious community together after the attack. This collaboration is also well received by the people. Chief Rabbi Jaron Engelmayer of the Israelite Religious Community (IKG) and Greek Orthodox Archpriest Nikolaus Rappert also emphasized the value of cohesion and solidarity in the community during this time. The president of the Buddhist Religious Society, Gerhard Weissgrab, saw something positive in this difficult time, namely the opportunity to know what life really means.

The mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), also called for help for the refugees in the Greek camps. He also reminded people that people and also children live in dire circumstances. Ludwig emphasized that Christmas was the feast of peace and family and said that Jesus Christ would ask for help.