From June 8 to 12, 2026, a delegation of the Charity Commission of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference paid an official visit to Armenia. The delegation was headed by Archbishop Stephan Burger of Freiburg, Chairman of the Commission. Among the delegates were Archbishop Herwig Gössl of Bamberg, Vice Chairman of the Commission; Auxiliary Bishop Dr. Christian Würtz of the Archdiocese of Freiburg; Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa, President of Caritas Germany; as well as experts in social affairs, academics, and representatives of the Catholic Church in Germany and Caritas Germany. The purpose of the visit was to gain first-hand insight into the implementation and impact of programs carried out by Armenian Caritas with the financial support of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

On June 9, the delegation visited the Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Catholic Church in Gyumri, where they were welcomed by His Grace Archbishop Gevorg Noradounghian, Ordinary of the Armenian Catholics of Armenia, Georgia and Eastern Europe and President of Armenian Caritas.

Together with the staff of Armenian Caritas, the delegation participated in the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Gevorg Noradounghian and concelebrated by the three German bishops, Very Rev. Fr. Nerses Galstyan, Senior Priest of the Armenian Catholic Communities in Armenia, and Rev. Fr. Mikael Dombourian, Parish Priest of Panik.

 

In his homily, Archbishop Noradounghian emphasized the unity of the Church’s pastoral and charitable mission, highlighting that service to those in need is an integral part of Christian witness. He reflected on the mission of Saints Nune and Mane, commemorated on that day, as well as on the Gospel passage of the grain of wheat that dies and bears fruit, presenting it as a symbol of Christian service rooted in self-giving love that leads to new life and resurrection. The Archbishop recalled that Armenian Caritas has maintained close cooperation with the Catholic Church in Germany and Caritas Germany for more than thirty years and expressed his profound gratitude for their continuous support and partnership. As a sign of appreciation, he presented commemorative gifts to the members of the delegation and offered the three bishops oil-painted and miniature icons created by Rev. Fr. Mikael Dombourian. In return, Archbishop Stephan Burger presented Archbishop Gevorg Noradounghian with a commemorative medal depicting Saint Boniface and Saint Edith Stein, describing it as “a beautiful expression of divine love flowing from heart to heart.”

During their stay, the delegation met with the staff of Armenian Caritas in both Yerevan and Gyumri, learning about ongoing projects and visiting beneficiary families. The guests were introduced to the Emergency Response Program and the project “Promotion of Home Care Services in Armenia,” implemented with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Caritas Germany, Caritas Georgia, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

 

The home visits provided an opportunity for the delegation to meet elderly and isolated beneficiaries and to witness the vital role of nursing, social work, and caregiving services in their daily lives. The project aims to improve the quality of life of older people by establishing a sustainable, comprehensive, and high-quality home care system in Armenia while strengthening cooperation with public institutions and educational establishments.

The delegation also visited the “Little Prince” Social Center in Gyumri, where they learned about programs supporting children and families facing difficult life circumstances. The center promotes social protection, psychosocial well-being, life skills development, and the social inclusion of vulnerable children and adolescents.

 

During the meetings, Archbishop Gevorg Noradounghian highly appreciated the contribution and commitment of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Caritas Germany, expressing confidence that the partnership would continue to grow in the years ahead. For their part, the members of the delegation thanked the staff of Armenian Caritas for their dedicated and professional service, emphasizing that the programs implemented in Armenia stand as a testimony to the success of this long-standing partnership.

At the conclusion of the visit, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their cooperation based on mutual trust, solidarity, and shared Christian values, for the benefit of the most vulnerable people in Armenia.