About Us

Establishment of Catholic Social Welfare Conference

Bishop Lorenzo Bianchi PIME established the Catholic Social Welfare Conference (forerunner of Caritas - Hong Kong) as a unit in the Catholic Centre, mainly overseeing and coordinating refugee relief services. Bishop Bianchi also appointed Msgr. Charles Herman Vath to handle the affairs of Catholic Social Welfare Conference.

Msgr. Charles Herman Vath assumed the position of Board of Director of Catholic Social Welfare Conference

Msgr. Charles Herman Vath was born on 12 October 1909, in Rhineland, Germany. Early in his life, Msgr. Vath came to China for business and served enthusiastically at the Church in Shanghai. In 1948, he made the decision to leave business and join the Beda College in Rome for religious studies. He was ordained priest in Rome in March 1952 and arrived in Hong Kong later that year. In 1958, Msgr. Vath assumed the position of Board of Director of Catholic Social Welfare Conference, serving until 1967. In 1961, he was appointed Papal Chamberlain to the Pope, with the title of Monsignor.

First Lenten Campaign & Charity Week (Bazaars)

Currently, the Caritas Charity Bazaars is coordinated by Caritas Local Services. The purpose of the Bazaars is not only to raise funds but also to enhance collaboration between Caritas, parishes and Catholic schools so that they can work together as one big family.

The opening of the Caritas Aberdeen Social Centre and the Tsuen Wan Caritas Social Centre

The Caritas Aberdeen Social Centre was officially opened by His Excellency Sir Robert Black, the Governor of Hong Kong. It became the first service centre and marked the beginning of vocational education provided by the Catholic Social Welfare Conference. In the same year, the Tsuen Wan Social Centre was set up, providing recreational activities for youth and training for adults initially.

Establishment of the first nursery school

With the completion of the Tsuen Wan Social Centre, an affiliated nursery school was established to provide childcare services for dual earner families. It also became the first nursery school under the Catholic Social Welfare Conference.

Establishment of the first Adult Education Centre

Caritas established its first Adult Education Centre in Robinson Road. In addition to offering business courses, the centre also introduced a two-year social studies programme. In 1965, the education centre was relocated to the newly completed Caritas House, while the original site was transformed into a women's dormitory.

Construction of the Caritas House

Construction of the Caritas House (Blocks A, B, and C) was commenced. In 1968, the Caritas House was officially inaugurated as the new administrative headquarters and the largest service centre of the Catholic Social Welfare Conference.

Establishment of Caritas Medical Centre

Caritas Medical Centre originated from the charitable initiative of the Catholic Social Welfare Conference, with the aim of providing medical care to the residents of So Uk Estate and Cheung Sha Wan in North Kowloon. At the beginning, the hospital only had 207 general beds and one pulmonary clinic.

Grand opening of the first Youth Welfare Centre (Gaudete House) in Cheung Chau

In the 1960s, there was widespread poverty in society. Opportunities for holiday and recreational activities were lacking for young people and children. With funding from German benefactors, Caritas established the Youth Welfare Centre (Gaudete House) in Cheung Chau – now known as Caritas Jockey Club Ming Fai Camp.