Evangelical concern over Austria aired

The World, European and Austrian Evangelical Alliances (WEA, EEA and EAÖ) have contributed to a report which expresses concern about freedom of religion, the abortion of unborn children with disabilities, and human trafficking in Austria.

The report, which also featured contributions from Herzwerk, which helps people in prostitution in Austria, criticises the Austrian government’s implementation of “a hierarchical system of recognition” of religious organisations, which it says discriminates against smaller and newer groups.

The “extremely high requirements” for legal recognition as churches, including a minimum membership of two per thousand of the population and recognition as a denominational community in Austria for at least ten years, are cited as being particularly problematic, representing “an insurmountable hurdle for new religious communities”, and creating an inequality of opportunity between groups, as those which are officially recognised have greater opportunities to hire pastors from abroad and receive tax-deductible contributions.