Pope Benedict XVI’s Address at the 40^th Anniversary of the Foundation of Italian Caritas

(November 24, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI said that Italian Caritas has been entrusted with the important task of educating the community, family and civil society in the light of the Gospel and the teachings of the church. In the past four decades since its foundation in 1971, they have been able to investigate, test and implement a working method based on three interrelated and mutually supporting themes: listen, observe, discern, and placing them at the service of the community. The Pope was addressing the Italian caritas in Rome on Thursday as they celebrated the fortieth Anniversary of their foundation. Italian caritas is the Pastoral Body created by the Italian Episcopal Conference, responding to the invitation of Pope Paul VI, in order to promote, in cooperation with other bodies as well, for the total development of man, social justice and peace, with particular attention to the poor and the needy. The Pontiff in his address said that every one of them is called to make contribution to the mission so that through hard work, dedication and service Caritas manifests the love of God to all. Responding to the needs of the people does not mean only giving bread to the hungry, but also to discover the reasons why they are hungry, just as Jesus, who understood fully the needs of the people who approached him and resolved them. It is in this perspective the Pope said they should face the present day challenges of the world. He pointed out the problems of migration, war and natural disasters and in particular the present day economic crises itself calls for fraternal lasting solutions. There is the widening gap between the North and South and the violation of human dignity in the world. There has been the weakening of families, the uncertainty of the situation of young unemployed people who are at the risk of losing hope. It is for this reason the Pontiff said, we need Caritas, because it is a sign of Christ's love, a sign that will bring hope.