A Minute Challenge at Stephansplatz

Encounter in Vienna

As a proactive reaction to the congregation's response to faith in the Vatican about blessing homosexual couples, we invited pedestrians to a spontaneous encounter with strangers at Stephansplatz, Vienna. The Idea: To look into the eyes of a stranger for one minute and merely appreciate each other. Lots of animated conversations showed us that creating a connection is not more difficult than a simple glance. 

Before this event a statement was published by The Upper Room: 
We wish to state on record our disappointment and disagreement with the statement issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. We join the courageous voices of the church across the world, which continue to serve and care for members of the LGBTQ-community. We also appreciate members of the LGBTQ-community who serve the church with dedication and commitment. 

In the biblical narrative, The Upper Room is a place of inclusion and unconditional love for one’s neighbour. The Christian imperatives of both ‘service without distinction’ and ‘grace without measure’ were established in two powerful events: washing of the feet (followed by breaking of the bread) and Pentecost (birth of the church). A language of love that knew no differentiation was called into practice. One cannot ration out grace or blessings in portions as one pleases. Grace, like the spirit at Pentecost, flows abundantly and with full force into the lives of everyone who is receptive. Grace requires no mediator except an open heart. The doors of The Upper Room were and will be open to everyone and we will continue to wash feet, break bread and celebrate unity in diversity (and not uniformity!) as we always have.