President of Caritas Europa, Father Michael Landau, visited the Czech Republic in recent days. His program also included personal meetings with employees and clients of the Archdiocesan Caritas Prague.
Father Landau and Marc Somers, who is in charge of capacity building of Caritas Europa organizations, visited the Gloria Shelter for mothers with children and the new Community Center of St. Agnes, where they met with Jakub Líčka, the Secretary General of Caritas Czech Republic, Jaroslav Němec, the director of Archdiocesan Caritas Prague, and other Caritas representatives. They shared experiences and inspiration for the development of charitable social services and projects. Father Landau asked many questions and showed a deep interest in the work of Charity.
„I am glad that I was able to start my visit with specific Caritas projects. It is here, in the everyday, persistent and long-term work for the benefit of people in need, that the real strength of this organization lies,“ emphasized the President of Caritas Europe, Fr. Michael Landau, whose work at the European Caritas headquarters is based on many years of work at the head of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vienna.
The tour began at the Community Center of St. Agnes.
The discussion was followed by a tour of the newly reconstructed house of the Archdiocesan Caritas in Londýnská Street, which also includes the new Community Centre of St. Agnes. Mr. Landau appreciated the usefulness and equipment of the newly renovated premises, but he was most interested in meeting the employees in the individual offices. During lively discussions, he took an interest in their work and respectfully appreciated their commitment and dedication.
„During the excursion, Fr. Landau showed a real interest in our work. His questions touched on the essence of our activities and showed that he is aware of the daily challenges we face. His interest was not merely superficial; his questions were accompanied by a deep insight and understanding for every detail of our activities,“ says Jarmila Lomozová from Caritas of the Archdiocese of Prague, who, together with her colleagues, accompanied the foreign guests on the tour.
During his visit, Fr. Landau did not spare words of appreciation and admiration: „As President of Caritas Europe, I follow the news from individual countries and I am aware of Caritas‘ strong position in the Czech Republic. Her extensive work at the national and international level is admirable. However, it is only through direct contact with this work and the people who are committed to it that allows me to fully appreciate its scope, impact and true strength.“
The visit left a deep impression
The visit continued to the Gloria Shelter for Mothers with Children in Barrandov in Renoirova Street. During a lively discussion with the director, Sister Imelda, the foreign guests learned in detail about the functioning of this social service. The interview covered a wide range of topics, from individual client stories to funding sources to other key aspects of operations.
For the workers, the visit of the President of Caritas Europa was a great encouragement. His human approach and sincere interest left a deep impression.
The Gloria Shelter is adjacent to the Home for People with Alzheimer’s Disease. „I am amazed to see the wide range of activities of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Prague, which ranges from kind support for mothers with young children to empathetic care for seniors struggling with dementia. Caritas perceives the uniqueness of each person, created in the image of God, and it is from this respect for human dignity that we care for people in the most difficult situations of life. This is the essence of the charity mission, which inspires deep respect and admiration in me,“ said Fr. Landau.
During a tour of the Shelter, Fr. Landau met mothers and children who had found refuge in difficult life situations. His smile and warm gestures indicated his true compassion for the people to whom he had dedicated his life’s mission. „Working at Caritas is the most beautiful job I can imagine. I am really grateful for the work that Caritas is doing here in the Archdiocese of Prague and in many other places,“ concluded the President of Caritas Europa, who will hold talks with the management of Caritas Czech Republic in the coming days of his stay in Prague.
