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The Caritas Association of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising e.V., known as Caritas München und Oberbayern, is the largest welfare association in Upper Bavaria and has been an important social service provider and umbrella organization since its foundation in 1922. As part of the Catholic Church, Caritas fulfills the commandment of charity and is committed to people of all ages, social classes and denominations.
Caritas sees itself as an advocate for the poor and disadvantaged and is committed to their rights and integration into society. The focus of the work is on the person in his or her unique dignity. The organization offers a wide range of assistance, including:
As an umbrella organization, Caritas represents around 100 Catholic specialist associations and affiliated organizations in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising. It bundles the interests of its members, advises them on political and technical issues and supports them in dealing with legal requirements.
Caritas is a community of full-time and volunteer employees who complement each other in partnership. It is committed to social justice and seeks the support of members, donors and organizations who share its goals.
Transparency and trust are important values of Caritas. The association discloses its annual financial statements and undergoes an independent audit by the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI) every year.
Caritas is committed to a society based on solidarity and actively addresses current social challenges. For example, in the summer of 2025, a dialogue event was held on the topic of "Building bridges. Between fear and dialogue: How do migrants and associations experience the current social mood?" to send a signal for encounter, cohesion and lived responsibility.
The historical archive of the Caritas Association documents the history of Caritas work in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising since the beginning of the 20th century. It includes administrative registers, collections and estates and is available to researchers and interested parties. Part of the holdings has already been digitized and can be viewed online.
Caritas München und Oberbayern is committed to the guiding principle of providing service to people out of Christian responsibility and being an advocate for the poor and weak in society. It is the welfare association of the Catholic Church and actively shapes the social area of society.
