“In our Archdiocese we strive as much as we can to bring help and comfort to the elderly,” said Metropolitan Irineu at the inauguration of the “Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian” Social Day Centre for the Elderly.
The social institution was inaugurated by the Craiova Archdiocese in southern Romania.
“By the grace of God, we have built and opened many such centres in the counties of Dolj and Gorj, but also in the other dioceses of the Metropolis of Oltenia.”
“”In this building, known as the Students’ Polyclinic, we thought to make a centre for the elderly. The good Lord helped us achieve this, which means that the Church’s care is a real fact,” added the Metropolitan of Oltenia.
“Since its foundation at Pentecost, the Church has been commanded by the Saviour Jesus Christ to care for all her sons and daughters, spiritually and physically. From the beginning, the Church has organised these programmes for the elderly, for children and for widows.”
“The Good Lord has helped us build this centre in troubled times when others are closing centres and we are opening them, which means that the care of the Church is a real and objective fact; objective, because we have these objectives, and real because we will always strive to fulfil what the Lord has given us to do: to care for all,” the metropolitan added.
Deans Grigore Vulcănescu and Cristian Cojocaru officiated the blessing service together with Father Alexandru Zidaru, eparchial councillor.
Among those present were Rela Filip, Deputy Mayor of the city of Craiova, Dan Diaconu, Prefect of Dolj County, Cosmin Durle, representing the County Council, and Dorian Delureanu from the Regional Development Agency South-West Oltenia.
Metropolitan Irineu thanked God, but also all the institutions involved in the project of modernizing and equipping the centre: “First of all, to the donors, to the Regional Development Agency, through the aid project, then to the City of Craiova, which helped us with a contribution for fitting out this home, but also to the builder, who showed great wisdom and patience”.
The centre will provide free social counselling, spiritual counselling, educational and social and leisure activities, occupational therapy, material support and other specific activities under the guidance of specialists.
According to the project, the centre will serve more than 300 elderly people. The social institution is located in Craiova, 54 Câmpia Izlaz Street, Dolj County.
The social assistance department of the Archdiocese of Craiova, coordinated by Father Adrian Stănulică, runs various social programmes aimed specifically at the elderly.
Photo credit: Metropolis of Oltenia
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