Struggle to Gain State Recognition for Faith

10th anniversary of Unification Church finally obtaining state recognition in Austria after 50 years in the wilderness, social exclusion and the feeling of not being fully accepted

10 Years of Recognition of the Unification Church in Austria (2015–2025)

First part of a speech by Peter Zoehrer, President of the Unification Church of Austria 2015-2025 and President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in Austria from 2000 to 2017. It was delivered at the celebration on 4^th July 2025, of the 10th anniversary of the official recognition of the Unification Church in Austria. The event was held at the Family Federation headquarters in Vienna. 

Zoehrer reports that the program celebrated not only the legal achievement of being recognized by the authorities but also decades of dedication, faith, and public engagement.  The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Martin Fischer, representative of the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport, who, according to the organizers, delivered an outstanding and thoughtful address. Peter Zoehrer writes that the celebration was further enriched by the participation of a number of dignitaries from various religious communities, whose support and solidarity gave the event a truly interfaith and inclusive spirit.

See also: 10 Years of Recognized Contribution to Society

See part 2: “Recognition Lets Us Actively Help Shape Society”

Dear Ministerial Councillor Prof. Dr. Martin Fischer,
Honored representatives of the religious communities,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a particular honor for me to welcome you here today – on a day that represents much more than just an anniversary for our faith community. Your presence, in the midst of the summer heat and the often-busy vacation season, is a powerful sign of solidarity and understanding. It shows that the experiences and challenges of the past ten years hold relevance far beyond our own community.

Today, we celebrate ten years of state recognition of the Unification Church (Vereinigungskirche) in Austria. A milestone that fills us with deep gratitude, but also with the obligation to reflect and to look ahead with clarity.

On 15^th June 2015, our faith community (German: Gemeinschaft) was officially recognized as a registered religious denomination by the state (German: staatlich eingetragene Bekenntnisgemeinschaft). This act was not merely a formal step, but the result of years of efforts, dialogue, and active contributions to the social life of Austria.

This historic moment marked the end of a long journey – one characterized by idealism, tireless commitment, and a deeply rooted belief in the universal values of family, peace, and dialogue.

As I said at the time – and I quote:

“State recognition was a victory for the rule of law – but also an invitation to make our faith more visible for the benefit of society. Religious freedom is not an end in itself but a mandate to help shape society.”

A long road, a firm faith

The path to this day was anything but easy. It was lined with challenges and obstacles, yet always carried by the hope that truth and justice would ultimately prevail.

I vividly remember the many conversations, the doubts, but also the unwavering determination of our members. There were moments of despair, when the burden of prejudice and misunderstanding seemed almost unbearable. Yet it was in these very moments that we experienced the strength of unity and the significance of our faith.

Anyone who wants to understand our position today must look back to where it all began – with those who courageously laid the first stone.

In 1965, Rev. Paul Werner came to Austria. With tireless dedication and a clear vision, he laid the foundation – with a few companions – for a movement that is now active in the fields of family, education, interreligious dialogue, and peacebuilding. We founded associations, overcame legal barriers, and created new structures – such as the Austrian Family Federation for World Peace (German: Familienföderation für Weltfrieden) in 1997. This testifies to our continued commitment to the well-being of society.

At a time when religious freedom in social practice was often reserved for established churches, our recognition process took four years. Four years in which we submitted countless documents, held discussions, and continually demonstrated the value of our community.

This success would not have been possible without the selfless contributions of many. I would especially like to highlight two individuals:

• Dr. Christian Brünner, constitutional law expert at the University of Graz
• Gerlinde Goach, a lawyer from Graz

With their professional expertise, unassailable integrity, and unwavering perseverance, they made a decisive contribution in ensuring that our application stood firm not only legally but was also respected on equal footing. We are sincerely grateful to them. They were without a doubt a “winning team”.

Recognition as liberation

This recognition was far more than a legal act.

For many of us, it was a liberation – especially for our younger generation. For a long time, our youth were often listed as “OB” – without denomination – even though they had a deep faith, a unique religious identity, and a spiritual home in our community. This designation was not just an administrative label – it meant social exclusion and the feeling of not being fully accepted for many young people.

Today, our young people can openly profess their faith – in school, with authorities, and in everyday life. They are part of a recognized religious community. This gives them dignity, self-confidence, and hope for the future.

There has also been a noticeable shift in how religious minorities are portrayed in the media.

For a long time, religious minorities were stigmatized in the media – burdened with clichés and targeted by sensationalist coverage. But even here, much has changed: Today, public debate on religion is more nuanced, respectful, and dialogue-oriented.

We are no longer merely objects of media projection, but subjects in constructive discourse.

Continued in part 2: “Recognition Lets Us Actively Help Shape Society”

See also: 10 Years of Recognized Contribution to Society

Featured image above: Peter Zoehrer speaking in Vienna 4th July 2025. Photo: Tony Cook

Related to state recognition after long struggle: God and Human Beings

Also related to state recognition after long struggle: The Kingdom of Heaven

And also related to state recognition after long struggle: True Love

More, related to state recognition after long struggle: The Value of the Family

And more, related to state recognition after long struggle: God’s ideal

Yet more, related to state recognition after long struggle: Essence of God

And more, related to state recognition after long struggle: God’s Essence: Harmonious Union of Male/Female

And more, related to state recognition after long struggle: The 3 Great Blessings: God’s Divine Plan

And more, related to state recognition after long struggle: Our Key Role: Co-Creating Heavenly Parent’s Dream

Still more, related to state recognition after long struggle: God’s Sorrow

Yet more, related to state recognition after long struggle: Suffering of God

And yet more, related to state recognition after long struggle: Family values

Also related to state recognition after long struggle: Meaningful Marriage

More, related to state recognition after long struggle: Living for Others

More, related to state recognition after long struggle: Essential Motherly Part of Messianic Mission

More, related to state recognition after long struggle: Family as School of Love

More, related to state recognition after long struggle: Parents and Children

More, related to state recognition after long struggle: Teachings Make Great Strides in New Version

And more, related to state recognition after long struggle: In a Nutshell

Yet more, related to state recognition after long struggle: Brief about the Teachings

Still more, related to state recognition after long struggle: Relationships