Supporting the Salesians in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is one of the most irreligious countries in the world. ACN is happy to help support the Salesians preach the Gospels to the Czech people.
By ACN Staff
Youth in front of the present house for children in need of renovation. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
The Czech Republic is one of the most irreligious countries in the world. In the Ustí region, only 5% of the population describes themselves as Christian. After the Second World War, the ethnic Germans who lived in the area were all expelled and replaced by new settlers. The communist government at the time prevented the settlers from developing any religious traditions and communities.
Salesians singing hymns with children. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
The Salesian Fathers have been present in the town of Teplice, since 1990. They run three parishes in the town itself and four others in the surrounding village. There are all kinds of social problems in the region as well – unemployment is high, as is crime. And the people here are on average poorer and less well educated than in other parts of the country.
The Salesians have established a centre to work with children and young people from the most disadvantaged families. They not only give religious instruction but also organise summer camps and faith-based weekend events. And the centre also reaches out to adults, offering a variety of courses on the Faith, seminars for married couples and much more besides.
The Salesians are also active in the prison ministry and visit the sick and elderly and operate a special outreach to the Roma. The centre they run is known as the ‘living house’ or ‘lively house’. Here, before the pandemic struck, they were able to reach out to around 1500 children, 400 adolescents and 500 adults annually. They have 30 employees and 200 volunteers supporting the six priests in their work here.
However, the building they currently use is only rented. In the long term, a house of their own would offer them greater security for future planning. In fact, they have already acquired this house, but it will first have to be fully renovated.
We are proposing to help with €30,000 because we already know how extremely important the work of the Salesian Fathers is in this difficult area, and what wonderful fruits it brings.