Vienna Archdiocese Hosts FEMEN Show in Church
The event was part of the 2025 Vienna Festival Weeks (Wiener Festwochen), which had a pagan theme entitled "Republic of Gods".
Shevchenko has campaigned for abortion, homosexuality and blasphemy, usually half-naked. In 2012, she cut down a large wooden cross in Kyiv.
In October 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed Josef Grünwidl as Archbishop of Vienna. He was widely regarded as one of the most liberal priests in the archdiocese.
Shevchenko Presents "New Form of Liturgy"
At St Elisabeth's Church, Shevchenko was dressed in black. She presented what the organisers described as a 'new form of liturgy'. The event was even advertised as an "alternative Mass".
Standing before the altar, Shevchenko asked, "Who speaks?" A women's choir responded, "Woman."
She then wrote the word 'Woman' on a sign, held it aloft and began a speech centred on her interpretation of original sin.
In her retelling, the biblical prohibition was directed solely at women: 'Do not touch. Do not see. Do not know. Do not ask." Shevchenko said that Eve defied these commands and was punished for doing so.
She presented Eve's disobedience as a model of feminist resistance.
According to her, women have historically been confined to three spheres — the church, the family and the kitchen — where they were expected to kneel, serve and obey. She also claimed that society is engaged in a 'war against female bodies'.
She argued that the words 'woman' and 'freedom' had long been 'banned' in places such as churches.
The feminist sermon concluded with an 'Amen'.
The parish priest at St Elisabeth's Church is Rev Gerald Gump, a personal friend of Archbishop Grünwidl. Commenting on the event, Rev Gump described it as 'a reflection on religion that we, as providers of the venue, can responsibly host'.
Picture: Pressebild, festwochen.at., #newsMbqglekoha