Cebu Caritas supports group reorganization

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Caritas, Incorporated, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Cebu, welcomes the reorganization of Caritas Internationalis.

Earlier, Pope Francis removed the entire leadership of Caritas Internationalis (CI), including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and appointed Pier Francesco Pinelli as interim administrator to lead it.

“Like all other institutions, major changes need to be undertaken for certain reasons – among them the need to further strengthen the organization for it to better respond to the changing times and to better serve the Anawim through its programs and services. Thus, the announced impending reorganization within Caritas Internationalis,” said Cebu Caritas Incorporated’s president and executive director Fr. Alex Cola Jr.

Cola said they are aware of the many questions that have arisen from the recent Vatican announcement.

“This is understandable, given that Caritas Internationalis is the biggest charitable and developmental institution of the Roman Catholic Church,” said Cola.

Caritas Internationalis is a Vatican-based confederation of “162 Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations operating in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide."

“Like Caritas Internationalis, Cebu Caritas, as the local Caritas in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu, also journeys with the Anawim in carrying out the threefold functions of Jesus Christ by serving the community of missionary disciples toward total human development and integrity of creation,” said Cola.

Cola added that Pope Francis made it clear in his decree that it seems necessary to revise the statutes and the regulations, making the current regulatory framework more appropriate to the statutory functions of the organization, as well as preparing it for the elections to be held during the next General Assembly, with the keen desire to encourage the proposed renewal of the organization.

“Cebu Caritas shares the hope and prayer that the reorganization will enable Caritas Internationalis to better serve the Anawim—the poor, the deprived and the oppressed—of our society,” added Cola.

Along with this, Cola assures everyone that they remain committed to live the core values of good governance.

“We assure our stakeholders, especially our partners, donors, benefactors and volunteers that Cebu Caritas remains faithful and steadfast in its commitment to live out the core values of good governance—fairness, integrity, transparency and accountability—in everything that we do for God and our brethren,” Cola said.

Cola is also asking the public to continue to support Caritas especially the Cebu and parish Caritas amid the recent development.

“We ask the public for its continued support to the work of Caritas, especially to Cebu Caritas and the Parish Caritas. We are fervently committed to continue our efforts in uplifting the lives of the Anawim through our humanitarian, developmental, and justice and peace programs,” Cola said.

Cola also asked for prayers for their perseverance and fortitude as they strengthen the ministry of becoming a serving Church and a renewed Church as a community of disciples and a Church for the poor. (FREEMAN)