Austria's Historical Religious Landscape: State-Sanctioned Faith

Austria's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, with no official data collected on religious affiliation since the 2001 census to maintain a secular stance. However, the country has strong ties to the Catholic faith, with a majority of Austrians considering themselves Roman Catholics. The Austrian culture is greatly influenced by centuries-old Roman Catholicism, which has played a significant role in shaping the country. The country also has a notable Muslim population, with Islam being officially recognised in Austria in 1912.

Religious freedom in Austria

Austria has no state religion. The country guarantees religious freedom in its constitution and has done so since the Patents of Tolerance of 1781/82. This was further enhanced by Article 14 of the Basic Law on the General Rights of Nationals of 1867, which guarantees every resident in Austria the right to join or leave any church or religious community of their choice, or to abstain from joining any at all. This article, in combination with the Law regarding Inter-confessional Relationships of 1868, ensures the country's religious neutrality.

Austria's legal system is to be qualified as religiously neutral, precluding any identification of the state with a specific church or religious community. The tasks and objectives of the state are exclusively non-spiritual and worldly. The Austrian state is an equal partner with the church, acknowledging each other's independence and autonomy.

The Austrian constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the government generally respects this right in practice. However, some religious groups that receive second-class status or no status under the 1998 Law on the Status of Religious Confessional Communities may face restrictions.

Austria has taken steps to promote freedom of religion and protect religious minorities at both the bi- and multilateral levels. The Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration, and Foreign Affairs established an interreligious dialogue platform, officially launched in 2014, which brought together representatives from all 16 legally acknowledged religious communities in Austria. Additionally, the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue (KAICIID), established in Vienna in 2012, provides another crucial dialogue platform. Austria also actively participates in the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and has made freedom of religion a priority during its membership in the UN Human Rights Council (2011-2014).

Austria's constitution and religion

Austria's constitution guarantees freedom of religion. This is enshrined in the Patents of Tolerance of 1781/82 and Article 14 of the Basic Law on the General Rights of Nationals of 1867. The Austrian legal system is religiously neutral and does not identify with any specific church or religious community.

Austria has a diverse religious landscape, with 16 legally recognised churches and religious communities, and 10 state-registered confessional communities. The country maintains strong ties to the Catholic faith, with 55.2% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic in 2021. However, this number has been declining, with an increasing number of people having no religious affiliation.

History of Religion in Austria

Austria has historically been a strongly Catholic country, dating back to when it was the centre of the Habsburg monarchy (1273–1918). In the 16th century, many Austrians converted to Protestantism during the Protestant Reformation, but the Habsburgs enacted measures of Counter-Reformation and harshly repressed Austrian Protestantism.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Austria has seen a radical change in its religious composition due to historical events and immigration. The number of Muslims in Austria has grown significantly, with an estimated 7.9% of the population identifying as Muslim in 2016. The Jewish community in Austria has also faced an uncertain fate, with a flourishing community of about 200,000 people before WWII, which was largely decimated during and after the war.

Religious Rights and Protections

The Austrian constitution provides for freedom of religious belief and affiliation, and prohibits religious discrimination. All Austrian residents have the right to join or leave any church or religious community, or to abstain from belonging to any of them. The law also grants recognised religious groups certain rights, such as the right to practice communal public worship and arrange their internal affairs autonomously.

Additionally, religion is part of the state school system in Austria. All children in state schools receive religious education according to their own legally recognised religious community.

While Austria has no state religion, its constitution and legal system protect freedom of religion and provide a framework for the recognition and rights of religious groups. The country's religious landscape is diverse and evolving, with the majority of the population identifying as Catholic, but also significant numbers of Muslims, Jews, and other religious groups.

Catholicism in Austria

Catholicism is the predominant religion in Austria, with 50.6% of the population practising the faith in 2023. However, this number has been declining over the past five decades, primarily due to secularisation and migration. In 1961, 89% of the population were Catholic, but this had dropped to 52% by 2022.

History of Catholicism in Austria

Austria has a long history as a strongly Catholic country, dating back to when it was the centre of the Habsburg monarchy (1273–1918). The Catholic Church in Austria is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, and is in full communion with the Pope in Rome. Each bishop is independent in his own diocese, but is answerable to the Pope. The governing body of the Church in Austria is the Austrian Conference of Catholic Bishops, which is currently presided over by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.

Austrian Christians are obliged to pay a mandatory membership fee to their church, which is calculated as 1% of their income. This payment is called "Kirchenbeitrag" ("Ecclesiastical/Church contribution"). While the younger generation tends to be less devout, many Austrians continue to practise Catholic traditions such as baptism, confirmation, marriage and funerals.

Catholicism and the State

While freedom of religion is guaranteed in the Austrian constitution, the country has been greatly influenced by Catholicism. Catholicism was treated like a state religion by Engelbert Dollfuss and Kurt Schuschnigg. The relationship between the Austrian state and the Catholic Church is specified by the Concordat of 1933 and a number of other laws that regulate their interaction. The Catholic Church enjoys special rights as the Holy See is subject to international law.

Other religions in Austria

Austria's legal system is religiously neutral, and the country guarantees freedom of religion. While the majority of Austrians are historically Roman Catholic, there are several other religions practised in the country.

Islam

Islam is the second-largest religion in Austria, with 8.3% of the population identifying as Muslim in the 2021 census. The Muslim community has been present in Austria for over a century, with a substantial number of Muslims living in Austrian territory after the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Austria was one of the first European countries to officially recognise Muslims as a religious community in 1912. The present-day Islamic community is diverse, with people from various backgrounds and ethnic groups, the largest being Turks, who make up about 80% of the Muslim population.

Judaism

Austria has a long history of Judaism, dating back to the beginning of the 10th century. Before World War II, there was a flourishing Jewish community of approximately 200,000 people, with over 90 synagogues and temples throughout the country. However, the Jewish community was systematically targeted and annihilated during the war, with approximately two-thirds escaping to other countries and many others perishing in the Holocaust. Today, the Jewish community in Austria numbers fewer than 10,000, most of whom reside in Vienna.

Buddhism

Buddhism is a legally recognised religion in Austria, with thousands of followers. The majority of Buddhists in the country are Austrian nationals, with a significant number of foreign nationals as well. Vienna, which has the largest number of foreign residents in Austria, is also the place with the longest tradition of Buddhism in the country and is home to most of its Buddhist temples and centres of practice.

Hinduism

Hinduism is a minority religion in Austria, with 3,629 people identifying as Hindu in the 2001 census. The 'Hindu Community in Austria' (HRÖ) is the official representative of Hindus in the country but does not have full legal recognition from the state.

Paganism

Austria, like many other European countries, has seen a growth in Pagan movements in recent years, particularly Druidic (Druidentum), Germanic Heathen (Heidentum), Wiccan, and Neopagan witchcraft (Hexentum) groups. Celtic Neopaganism and Neo-Druids are especially popular, as Austria was the location of the proto-Celtic Hallstatt culture.

Religious education in Austria

Austria's education system is free and public, with nine years of mandatory schooling. The country's religious landscape is predominantly Christian, with a strong Catholic influence. Religious education is a mandatory subject in Austrian schools, and all recognised religions may provide religious instruction within the public school system.

Parents have the right to choose their child's religious denomination up to the age of ten. From ages ten to twelve, parents still make this decision, but the child must be consulted. Between the ages of twelve and fourteen, a change of religion cannot be imposed on the child, and at fourteen, they are free to choose their own religion.

In state schools, all children belonging to a legally recognised church or religious community receive religious education in their own denomination, with the state covering the costs. The official religious body is responsible for the curriculum and chooses the teachers, while the state finances the instructors' salaries and general organisation. The state may not interfere in religious teachings, but these teachings must not contradict Austrian law.

The Islamic Religious Authority (IGGÖ) has represented Muslims in Austria since 1979, and Islamic education was introduced in public schools in 1983. Today, more than 80,000 pupils attend these classes, taught by over 630 instructors.

Austria's religious education system reflects the country's secular and cooperative nature. During the first five days of each school year, parents or pupils over the age of fourteen can choose to opt out of religious instruction, which is otherwise mandatory. Children without a religious denomination may attend any religious group with the teacher's consent. Interreligious cooperation is also gaining importance, with multi-faith celebrations and projects fostering mutual respect and acceptance of pluralism.

The introduction of the subject "Ethics" in 2021/22 has sparked discussions on the relevance of religious education. Some argue for a common education on religion with a secular focus on teaching ethics. However, religious communities providing religious instruction were invited to present the ethical dimensions of their lessons, and Islamic religious education has seen an increase in pupil numbers as a result of this debate.

History of Religious Education in Austria

Historically, the Catholic Church was responsible for education in Austria until 1774, when Empress Maria Theresa made schooling compulsory for both boys and girls aged six to twelve. While religious and moral education remained a significant part of the curriculum, this reform transferred some educational authority from the church to the state.

In 1781, Emperor Joseph II issued a Patent of Tolerance, allowing limited freedom of worship for other faiths. Religious freedom was later declared a constitutional right in 1867, recognising the diverse religious landscape of the monarchy. In 1912, Islam was officially recognised in Austria after the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which had a substantial Muslim population.

Current Religious Landscape in Austria

As of 2021, 55% of Austrians identified as Roman Catholic, 8.3% as Muslim, 4.9% as Orthodox Christian, 3.8% as Evangelical Christian, and 0.1% as Jewish. 22.4% of the population declared no religious affiliation.

Austrian Christians are required to pay a mandatory membership fee, or "Kirchenbeitrag," to their church, calculated as about 1% of their income. This payment has contributed to a decline in Catholic church membership, particularly among younger Austrians.

The Muslim community in Austria has been present for over a century and is diverse, with the largest group being Turks, comprising about 80% of the Muslim population. The number of Muslims has grown due to immigration, especially from Turkey, the former Yugoslavia, and the Balkans.

Austria's religious education system reflects the country's commitment to freedom of religion and secularism. While recognising the importance of religious instruction, the country also values mutual respect and acceptance of pluralism, fostering inter-religious cooperation. The system allows for religious instruction while also providing the freedom to opt out, adapting to the changing religious landscape and promoting social cohesion.

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