Portrait
Georg Sporschill’s journey through life begins in Vorarlberg in 1946, where he grew up as one of nine children.
After graduating from highschool, he moved to Innsbruck in order to study theology, pedagogy and psychology. Afterwards, he worked as an advisor in adult education for the provincial government in Vorarlberg. At the age of thirty, he joined the Jesuit Order and was ordained to prieshood two years later.
Social work with young adults
As a young vicar in Vienna-Lainz, Father Georg Sporschill founded and supervised many youth groups. As of 1980, his dedicated focus remained on young adults who had been released from prison, struggled with substance abuse and/or were homeless. He lived with them under one roof. Additionally, he established homes for young adults and homeless people for the Caritas, provided soup for the homeless living at the train station using the „Canisibus“ as transportation and founded the venue „Inigo“, which provides long-term unemployed people with work and self-esteem.
Stray children in Bukarest
In 1991, Father Georg Sporschill travelled to the stray children in Bukarest on behalf of his Order. What was supposed to be a six-month mission became his life’s work. Together with Ruth Zenkert, he founded CONCORDIA’s social projects and was able to offer children from the street and the canals of the Romanian capital a brighter perspective for the future. For their benefit, a social centre, children’s and youth homes as well as apprenticeship workshops and trade schools are being established.
Aid where the need is greatest
The goal is to help where the need is greatest. This principle lead Father Georg Sporschill to Moldova in 2004, the poorest country in Europe. Here, he continues his dedication to the welfare of orphans and neglected young adults. But not only they are in need of help, the elderly in Moldova are as well. Thus, CONCORDIA has weaved a net of soup kitchens and social centres. In 2008, Georg Sporschill began his work with young adults in Bulgaria.
Children of Hope
Father Georg Sporschill builds bridges between East and West and thus between poor and rich. He challenges the privileged West’s youth with one question: „Ask yourself: Where is my help needed?“ Many young adults work for CONCORDIA projects as volunteers. Their first intention is to help others; in the end, they themselves also benefit immensly from their commitment. Therefore, not only the stray children, but also the privileged children become Children of Hope.
The Bible as a source of strength
Father Georg Sporschill gets his strength and hope from the Bible. He has been the head of a Bible school in Vienna since 1996. Together with three other writers, he is responsible for publishing the weekly BIBMAIL.
