A contribution by Georg Sperrle
Bishop Ferdinand Dkhar and Father Manbha Pakem visit the Diocese of Würzburg
A long journey lies behind them. Bishop Ferdinand Dkhar and Father Manbha Pakem covered almost 9000 km on their way to the diocese of Würzburg. The contact was made by Gerhard Albert, who as 1st chairman of the Khublei - Hilfe für Nordost-Indien e.V. association has been coordinating comprehensive India aid with and for the diocese of Jowai in Meghalaya for many years. Domkapitular Clemens Bieber, 1st chairman of the diocesan Caritas association, and Georg Sperrle, managing director of the CEG, warmly welcomed the guests to the Caritas House.
Challenges of Nursing in Germany
The reason for the meeting is a more intensive exchange and cooperation to support care in Germany. Georg Sperrle will present the demographic development in Germany and its impact on the situation of people in need of care. By 2055, the number of people in need of care in Germany will increase by a further 2 million to a total of 7.2 million people. At the same time, the number of people of working age is continuing to decline. The German Economic Institute in Cologne predicts that by 2030 there will be a shortage of around 500,000 skilled workers in the care sector. The recruitment, integration and retention of international nursing professionals and trainees is therefore of great importance so that people in need of care can continue to be well looked after and cared for with dignity in the future.
Building international networks for strong care
Against this background, the CEG is building international networks for strong nursing in the Diocese of Würzburg. A very important contact person in this context is Alexander Sitter from the Diocesan Office for the World Church in the Diocese of Würzburg. During the meeting, he reported on the exciting friendships and relationships of the diocese in the world church. He is in contact with numerous organizations and establishes valuable contacts that strengthen nursing in our diocese.
cooperation with international religious orders
Collaboration with international religious orders is of great importance to the CEG. In this context, Gerhard Albert has made contact with a religious order from Meghalaya who would like to establish their first convent in Germany. The aim is for sisters from the religious order who are trained as nursing professionals or who want to train in Germany to come to the Diocese of Würzburg and make a valuable contribution to care as nurses. Bishop Ferdinand Dkhar and Pastor Manbha Pakem, who are both working hard to achieve a sustainable improvement in the living situation locally, also welcome and support this. Susanne Scheiner, CEG's consultant for life in old age, takes care of the formal hurdles and makes a valuable contribution by coordinating various tasks to make this vision a reality.
The meeting is characterized by great warmth and the shared Christian mission to help people. Gerhard Albert, who has been traveling in the region for many years and has met many people, says: "The warmth of the people from Meghalaya always moves me. They will be a great asset to nursing in the diocese of Würzburg!" This warm meeting ends with a visit to the cathedral, a short tour of the Old Main Bridge with its bridge saints and a shared Franconian dinner. All those involved agree: getting to know each other has strengthened the connection between Würzburg and Meghalaya and broadened the common view of people's worries and needs.
