Cardinal Christoph Schönborn has returned from a delicate journey to Saudi Arabia that lasted several days. He was in a country where religions other than Islam are banned and Christians suffer persecution. The cardinal campaigned for freedom of religion and expression.
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn is back in Vienna. Back from a complicated multi-day trip to a country where only one religion is allowed, Islam. Back from Saudi Arabia, which recently ranked eleventh on the list of countries with the most persecution of Christians because of their faith.
According to the Catholic news agency, the archbishop of Vienna has repeatedly said during his lectures that Saudi Arabia needs a civil society “in which there are all those basic freedoms that we take for granted, including freedom of religion and freedom of expression”. Christoph Schönborn: “And that is also my wish for this country.”
The cardinal, who made the trip after consulting the Vatican, held lengthy talks with the Minister of Religion, Sheikh Abdullahtif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh. Both condemned any religiously legitimized violence or even terrorism. He also met with Deputy Foreign Minister Walid El Kheeiji and members of the Shura Council.
opening of the country
He expressly expressed appreciation for the extraordinarily warm meeting with the Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Muhammad Al-Issa. Christoph Schönborn came at his invitation. Overall, he got a positive balance. One can clearly see an openness in the country. He very much hopes that this development will continue and be noticed and supported by the West. The cardinal also celebrated masses at the Austrian embassy. Recently, private Mass celebrations have been tolerated.