The big interview – What world do we actually live in, Mr Landau?

A table is set in the large garden of the Cardinal König house in Vienna-Lainz. White cloth, marigolds, a pitcher of cold water. Michael Landau is sitting under a pear tree, a small beetle crawls over its collar so it can find its way back into the meadow. Before our interview, the Caritas president pauses in the small chapel with the fiery red painting on the wall. “Cardinal König has always stood for a church that listens and goes out,” he says. “Outside” the number of people for whom it is getting tighter has increased enormously.

„krone“: Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler told the opposition and the media vaccused of “fueling a hysteria” regarding the inflation wave. What did you think?
Michael Landau: I am pleased that the Vice-Chancellor has now clarified that. I remember the German Economy Minister Robert Habeck better. He said, “We’re all going to get poorer.” I would counter that with more confidence: “We’ll have to share.” And that works! There is enough for everyone, but not for everyone’s greed.

Since the wave of inflation, many people can no longer afford to pay for their lives. How bad is the situation?
In our social counseling centres, for example in Vienna, we see a growth of about 30 percent in the first quarter of this year. The numbers are similar in other states. People come to us who never thought they would ever need support from Caritas. The same picture emerges when it comes to food spending. Last year we released about 17 tons per week, this is already 24 tons. Many people are in dire straits due to record inflation and rising prices. Politicians have achieved something with one-off benefits, but that cannot replace a structural solution.

What structural solution could that be?
We need a rescue package against poverty now. On the one hand, very rapid measures, such as the increase in minimum pensions, child benefits and health care allowance. My appeal to the federal government is to make a one-off compensation on July 1 that relieves the people and use the second half of the year for structural change. Two things are central here: on the one hand, the new assistance and on the other hand, the family bonus. With the new social security system we see that families can no longer make ends meet. We need a fundamental reform towards a real minimum income. The family bonus, as designed today, also reaches the families who need it least. Our idea would be to merge the family bonus and child benefit into a basic child benefit scheme. Children are often the biggest victims of crises. The federal government has also set itself the goal of significantly reducing child poverty. I have the impression that this goal is not even half-heartedly pursued at the moment.

Is Caritas involved in putting together the so-called “anti-inflation packages”?
That is different. We bring in our perceptions over and over again. But sometimes I have the impression that the federal and state governments are not showing the necessary decisiveness. I would like to remind you of the determination with which the economy has been supported during the acute Corona crisis. The then finance minister said, “Whatever it costs.” I expect the same energy when it comes to fighting poverty.

Did you say that to the chancellor?
We are talking. It is a good Caritas tradition to persevere, not to look the other way. The growing divergence in our society is something that no one can overlook.

Have there been contacts with the new Minister of Social Affairs?
Multiple. He has emphasized that he does not only want to become Minister of Health, but also consciously Minister of Social Affairs and we will take his word for it. There will certainly be some kind of profound exchange. I certainly have the impression that the federal government is currently trying to make progress. But these efforts must be much more decisive.

And who should pay for this effort? Should we, for example, speak of a voluntary solidarity levy, for example from the five percent of the richest to the five percent of the poorest?
As Caritas we are poverty experts, not tax experts. But it is clear that the number of dollar millionaires worldwide, as well as the number of euro millionaires, has increased considerably. At the same time, people do not know how to deal with everyday life. This debate on justice needs to be conducted much more courageously on a political and social level. The question will be: how can we deal fairly with the tasks that now await?

What is your answer?
One’s own happiness can never be designed without taking into account the happiness of others. In the end, we only do well when others do well.

That sounds nice, but do the millionaires care?
I remind you that there have always been people, like Andreas Treichl, who have said of their own volition that they could make a greater contribution. Many millionaires are also socially involved. So there is a culture of sharing. But structural problems also require structural solutions. And I’ll be honest: as long as billion-dollar companies in Austria and in Europe pay practically no tax, I don’t want to talk about whether those who have little can tighten their belts even more. Because there is no more hole in the belt. The Second Vatican Council says: “One should not offer as a gift of love what is already owed to justice.”

Does that make you angry sometimes?
Yes. Injustice naturally breeds anger. At the same time, we’re not getting anywhere with envy debates. Neither at the top nor at the bottom of society. We must never tolerate the need, that is an important task of Caritas. Its founder, Prelate Leopold Ungar, said, “Christ did not find the Church to say yes, but as a sign of contradiction.”

Is the war in Ukraine with the accompanying inflation and the refugees worsening the mood in society?
With the help of the people, we have now reached 1.5 million people in Ukraine and surrounding countries. Despite the difficult situation, there is still tremendous solidarity in Austria. On our “Füreinand” platform alone, 40,000 people are registered to help. So: The groundwater level of the charity is still high. But of course the ongoing war is exacerbating the problems, especially at the international level. If grain exports from Ukraine and Russia to Africa stop, we will face a dramatic famine there. People in South Sudan, Senegal and Ethiopia are also dependent on these imports. If there are blockages, there will also be unrest. Hence the appeal: Grain should not be used as a weapon!

When you walk through the cities these days, you get the feeling that there are two worlds. On the one hand prosperity and luxury, on the other the rows for the wealth markets. Don’t you sometimes think: what world do we actually live in?
That’s a good picture. There is a risk that this gap will widen even further. I think that despite all the difficulties we can only perform well together. That is why we would do well not to lose sight of the need, to stand together, tackle it and not forget the poorest. It is about this basic melody of cohesion and trust. That is what sets us apart as human beings, no matter which side we are on.

What hit you last?
Meeting with an 84-year-old woman who had to cancel her funeral insurance because she urgently needed the $30 rate for groceries. And a retiree who saved his whole life and eventually donated the money to Caritas, ie to people in need.

We are currently celebrating Pentecost. Do you have an explanation of who or what the Holy Spirit should be?
Pentecost for me is a celebration of hope and courage. God does not want us small and scared and broken, but sincere and strong. In this way we can shape the present and the future. Admittedly, it is sometimes difficult to maintain courage and hope today, but this is the time entrusted to us and we must use and shape this time.