Solidarity in action – Caritas directors' meeting in Leżajsk

Material prepared for the press.

In the first days of June, Leżajsk became a special place. Caritas directors from all over Poland came to this city in the Podkarpacie region to jointly debate the condition and future of the largest charity organization in the country. The National Assembly of Caritas Directors, lasting from 4 to 6 June, is an event that goes beyond routine meetings of management staff - it is a space for formation, dialogue, planning and sharing experiences, shaping the identity of contemporary Caritas.

Day One: In the Shadow of History and Values

The first day of the meeting had primarily a symbolic and spiritual dimension. The participants went to Markowa, where they visited the Ulma Family Museum of Poles Saving Jews. This visit was not accidental – the fate of the Ulma family, murdered by the Germans for hiding Jews, is the embodiment of courage, love of neighbor and selfless help. These values ​​are the foundation of Caritas' activities. The day ended with the Eucharist led by Archbishop Adam Szal. The Holy Mass in Markowa was a moment to reflect on the essence of Caritas' mission – a mission that is not only institutional, but above all deeply rooted in the Gospel.

Among the many issues discussed was the topic of support for the victims of the war in Ukraine.

Day Two: War, Crisis, Business Continuity

Thursday, June 5 was a day of intensive discussions and exchange of knowledge. It began with an introduction by Bishop Wiesław Szlachetka, Chairman of the Charity Commission of the Polish Episcopal Conference. Shortly afterwards, a key panel discussion took place with the participation of representatives of Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes. The topic of managing a war crisis in four phases was raised: prevention, preparation, response and reconstruction. Presentations and testimonies, including those by the President of Caritas Ukraine Tatiana Stawnycha and Fr. Serhyi Tryfak from Kolomyia, highlighted the enormous amount of work and challenges that charities face in wartime. For Polish Caritas, these experiences are an invaluable lesson: how to plan activities in a continuous manner, how to build institutional resilience and how to prepare for emergency situations. In the afternoon, a workshop was held on Caritas’ readiness to respond to situations of danger – in light of the new act on population protection and civil defense. On this topic, Fr. Dr. Wojciech Wróblewski, Director of the Security and Volunteering Office of Caritas Polska, presented proposals and operational models that can improve the cooperation of Caritas structures with public administration.

Day three: data, law and everyday effectiveness

The last day of the conference began with a Holy Mass led by Archbishop Józef Michalik, followed by a series of evaluation and informational presentations. Magdalena Fac-Skhirtladze presented data on the activities of diocesan Caritas for 2024. The President of the Caritas Foundation, Dr. Przemysław Ligenza, discussed foundation matters, while Magdalena Bodzenta presented complex topics related to the ETS 2 energy directive. Rising energy costs and new environmental obligations pose serious questions for charities: how to reconcile the need for ecological transformation with everyday aid activities? The highlight of the program was the presentation of good practices from various dioceses.

The Caritas Directors’ Meeting is an opportunity to exchange experiences and build new action strategies.

Why such meetings?

Meetings of Caritas directors are a moment of pause, joint reflection and setting directions for the future. In an era of growing challenges - both geopolitical and environmental - Caritas must combine social sensitivity with professional management. Such meetings are also a space for building a community of people for whom providing assistance to those in need is not just a profession, but a mission. The Leżajsk Congress showed that contemporary Caritas activities must combine traditional values ​​with modern crisis management, the ability to adapt to changing regulations and social realities, as well as openness to international cooperation. The deliberations were of a hybrid nature - some participants connected online - which allowed for wider access to knowledge and participation, also for people from distant dioceses. Such meetings remind us that effective help requires cooperation, knowledge and foresight. Not only empathy is needed, but also competence.

Caritas is not just an institution – it is a community of people who share one thing: the desire to help others. The Leżajsk Congress proved once again that the strength of Caritas is the diversity of experiences, unity of purpose and readiness to take on new challenges. And also the conviction that love for one's neighbor is not a slogan, but a daily practice.

Rev. Dr. Paweł Konieczny – Deputy Director of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Przemyśl