Serving out of love
The Charitable activities of the church
international scientific conference
The Catholic Caritas is organizing an international conference on the charitable work of the Catholic Church on May 26, 2021, at the Szent Adalbert Event Center in Esztergom. The conference is linked to the preparatory programs of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress.
THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE
The conference aims to highlight the history, theology, mission, extensive activities and practices of the Church's charitable ministry. It would like to present the significance, opportunities and operational framework of the humanitarian, health and social activities of the Global Church, and within it the Hungarian Catholic Church, as well as its role in the social welfare system. Its lecturers are the domestic and international leaders, experts and prominent figures of the Church’s charitable service. The event is also a joint reflection that explores the perspectives of the Church's social assistance and presents opportunities and suggestions for addressing emerging social problems and for fulfilling the Church's mission of charity according to the specifics of this era.
The conference is organized by the Catholic Caritas, the official aid organization of the Catholic Church, on behalf of the Secretariat of the International Eucharistic Congress. The organization helps those in need, regardless of age, gender or denominational affiliation, through the maintenance of social institutions, various aid operations, crisis intervention and long-term social programs. Its purpose is to practice charity, rooted in the love of God, through its believers, volunteers, associates, institutions and programs.
PROGRAM DRAFT
May 26, 2021
09.00-10.40 – THE THEOLOGY OF THE LOVE OF SERVING OTHERS
moderators: Nándor Birher, Lóránd Újházi
Welcome speech: Cardinal Peter Erdő Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson Prefect (Dicasterium ad Integram Humanam Progressionem fovendam) "The love of Christ urges us on"
Klaus Baumann prof. (Freiburg Albert Ludwig University) Caritas as theology, caritas as science
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Tamás Tóth General Secretary of Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference Poor relief in the history of the Church
Lóránd Újházi (National University of Public Service) The Church's triple /Sanctification, Teaching, Governing/ mission in the service of charitable love
11.00-12.30 THE COOPERATIONS, PERSPECTIVES OF CHARITY
Antal Spányi diocesan, president (Caritas Hungarica) The Catholic Caritas - Caritas Hungarica operating framework and focus areas
Miklós Soltész Minister of State for Church and National Minority Relations Church charity in Hungarian society - cooperation between churches and the Government
Aloysius John secretary general (Caritas Internationalis) The future strategy of Caritas Internationalis - charity work or professional social work?
Dániel Solymári Christian modes of charity in the light of Pope Francis’s encyclical Fratelli Tutti.
Richárd Zagyva deputy director (Caritas Hungarica) Social and humanitarian activities related to the Hungarian Catholic Church - "Charitable Service Map of the Church"
Lunch break 12:30-14:00
14.00-14.45 THE COOPERATIONS, PERSPECTIVES OF CHARITY
Tadeusz Kamiński associate professor (UKSW Warsaw) Church-State cooperation in social services
Attila Fülöp Minister of State for Social Affairs of the Ministry of Human Capacities Significance of ecclesiastical involvement in the Hungarian social welfare system
József Padányi vice-rektor (National University of Public Service) The importance of civil-military cooperation in the aspect of the churches
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15.05-16.05 THE HUMANITARIAN, HEALTH AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE CHURCH
parallel section seats
Health Roundtable – The Significance and Opportunities of Caritas Mission in the Field of Health care: institutional health care, medical mission, patient care: András Csókay neurosurgeon, Emil Toldy-Schedel director (Saint Francis Hospital, Budapest) Zoltán Pósz gynaecologist, endocrinologist (member of the Caritas Hungarica medical mission)
Humanitarian and Social Roundtable – Assistance Opportunities and Practices in different areas: war, disaster, social welfare and child protection: Marietta Tuczainé Régvári director (Diocesan Caritas Szombathely), Henrietta Pál deputy director (Szent Ágota child protection service), Richárd Zagyva deputy director (Caritas Hungarica)
Caritas Roundtable – The Legal, Ethical, Educational Aspects of the Church's Social Work and the future of Caritas (in German language, with Hungarian translation): Klaus Baumann prof. (Freiburg Albert Ludwig University), Jakub Dolezel (Palacký University - Olomouc), Tadeusz Kamiński associate professor (UKSW Warsaw), moderator: Nándor Birher
Closing speech: Gábor Écsy director (Caritas Hungarica)
