Chancellor’s Advice May Inspire More Charity Work

Social workers believe advice given by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to a Chinese bishop last week on Church-run charities could inspire more dioceses to become more active.

Merkel met with Bishop Joseph Gan Junqiu on February 4 while on an official visit to China. The Guangzhou bishop said after her visit that the chancellor had encouraged him to “set up more charitable organizations such as nurseries and homes for the aged to promote social harmony, freedom and equality.”

Father John Ren Dahai, secretary-general of Hebei Jinde Charities Foundation, said: “Even a foreign chancellor recognizes the importance of Church-run social services in China I think this is affirmation to the work of our Catholic charitable organizations.”

Her words “may also prompt some diocesan leaders to look at their own situation and think about what kind of services can be launched,” Father Ren added.

“If the China Church can develop more social services, this will build a closer connection to society. Through this, the Church will learn more about the sufferings of people and society will learn more about the Church,” he noted.

Father Stephen Chen Ruixue, director of the Catholic Social Service Center in Xi’an diocese, said being a Christian and a renowned politician, Merkel’s concerns brought a positive influence.

“It helps Church workers to concentrate more on their services and strengthen their mission to serve society,” he explained.

The German Church has a long history of helping the Church in China, especially in social services.

“This is a partnership. It is not only about funds and financial resources, but also about the rationale and the ways how these services are provided,” he said. [More]

SOURCE

UCA News