«A healthcare pioneer»

How was your start at the Caritas Baby Hospital?
The whole team welcomed me with open arms. I am really happy about my new job. My predecessor, Ernst Langensand, had prepared the transition very well – and as he will be leading the renovation and expansion project until it is completed, I will be able to consult him anytime.

You are the first director from he region. Does this have a particular significance for you?
I think it’s highly important for Children’s Relief Bethlehem. By naming a local director, the organization is sending a clear signal to the people of the region: Caritas Baby Hospital is a hospital for the people of Palestine! Yet though Palestinian society is still not in a position to offer such medical and social services with its own financial resources, this does not release us from the responsibility do our part in the hospital’s development.

What are the major challenges that Children’s Relief Bethlehem must confront?
Living conditions in Bethlehem and throughout Palestine are growing worse. More and more people are just giving up. In Israel, people might be better off, but even there hope is dying for an end to the conflict in the foreseeable future. The Near East needs political players capable of making courageous decisions again, so as to stabilize the situation and find solutions for a fair and just future. I hope that the forward-looking impetus supplied by Pope Benedict on the occasion of his visit to the Caritas Baby Hospital will also have its effect on the politicians. Yet even if the situation were to change overnight, the Palestinians still have difficult years before them. There will be no quick improvement in the living conditions.

What can Europe do?
For my part, I hope that Europe will keep its ears open to the voices of Bethlehem’s families; that it will continue to show compassion for the plight of the children and mothers living in the town where Christ was born. Only financial support from all over the world will allow us to continue our work. But at the same time, I would like for politicians to open their minds to new positions that would encourage an equilibrium of forces. The people of Palestine need a realistic vision again: a vision of a future that is worth living. They would like to be able to look forward once more: like the Israelis do, like the Europeans – like everybody.

Thank you for talking with us. We wish you much success in your new assignment.