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Vienna (pte021/22.05.2013/14:53) - Hundreds of churches Austria-wide to open their doors for the "Long Night of the Churches" (original: "Langen Nacht der Kirchen") on May, 24.
Some 730 churches across Austria are taking part in the event this year, with 3,000 exhibitions, public discussions, workshops, readings, concerts and much more.
There will also be an extraordinary sporting event when a Tyrolean will attempt to cross the Stephansdom cathedral some 60 metre above the ground.
One of the main themes this year will be asylum, following the occupation of the Votivkirche by asylum seekers at the beginning of this year. There will be a documentary film screening at the Club Stephansplatz 4 (near the cathedral) followed by a discussion on the way asylum seekers are dealt with.
The Votivkirche itself will host a discussion on "brotherly love" while astronomers and theologians try to reconcile science and religion in the Priesterseminar in the Strudlhofgasse.
A discussion centred on the spiritual welfare of prisoners will take place at the Wien-Simmering prison. The archbishop's palace in Vienna's first district will set the scene for a look into the department of the prevention of abuse and violence.
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn will not be appearing officially during the event, but organisers have said he intends to pay a surprise visit to some parishes.
This year, the ecumenical event is headed by the Old Catholic Church. The bishop John Okoro has already given the motto for the evening: "One has to step out of the house in order to learn."
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