On 3 June, the International Congress organised by the Bavarian Province of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Order's work in Bavaria came to a successful conclusion.

"The main purpose of the congress was to reflect and to jointly work out what direction our facilities can and must take in view of the current and future challenges," said Christian Kuhl, Managing Director of the Province's hospital holding company. Barmherzige Brüder Träger GmbH.

Since defending and passing on the values for which the Brothers of St. John of God stand demands above all good communications, the main focus of the international congress was to stimulate mutual exchanges and discussions between the participants. "It was essential to remind ourselves that 'living the values' that lie at the heart of our work is an ongoing process and not a one-off project," said Brother Rudolf Knopp, Provincial of the Bavarian Province.

Furthermore, the congress programme included numerous scientific lectures and field reports for the congress participants. The Brothers' current social projects, the nursing situation and the two-year experience of the Corona pandemic were also discussed. " It was also obviously necessary to discuss such critical issues as the relationship between science and religion or the prospects for the Church in a highly secularised society," said Hans Emmert, managing director of the disability holding company, Barmherzige Brüder Träger GmbH.

Besides the comprehensive scientific programme, the guests from Germany, Austria, Portugal, France, Italy, Poland, Spain and Ireland also had the opportunity to become acquainted with the city of Regensburg and its history, and to forge many new contacts. "After the long period of restrictions due to the Corona pandemic, it was particularly wonderful for me to see how much joy the participants at the congress derived from their personal contacts," the Provincial, Rudolf Knopp, concluded with satisfaction.