Pope: Caritas, serving those most in need

During his Wednesday audience Pope Benedict XVI had a very special greeting for the President of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, and Members of the Executive Board and Representative Council of the global Catholic organisation.

Speaking in English he said: “Your presence here today expresses your communion with the Successor of Peter and your readiness to welcome the new juridical framework of your organisation. I thank you for this and I am certain that the new structures will support and encourage your important service to those most in need.”

As Caritas Internationalis President, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga received updated Statutes and Rules and a General Decree from the Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone on behalf of Pope Benedict on 2 May.

The revised Statutes and Rules provide a legal basis reflecting the new standing of Caritas as a ‘public canonical juridical personality’ bestowed by Blessed John Paul II in 2004. The new status formally recognises that Caritas carries out its charitable activities in the name of the Catholic Church and strengthens its working relationship with the Holy See. The Representative Council is meeting 15 to 17 May in Rome followed by the first meeting of the Executive Board.

On Tuesday evening Card. Rodríguez Maradiaga attended a photo exhibition sponsored by the US Embassy to the Holy See, titled “Woman at risk: Images from Nepal”. He spoke to Alessandro Gistotti about challenges and risks that migrant women face Listen: