Caritas Internationalis Holds 22nd General Assembly in Rome
Around 400 delegates from 162 national Caritas organizations across 200 countries and territories recently gathered in Rome for the 22nd General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis. The assembly, which took place from May 11 to 16, centered around the theme “Building New Paths of Fraternity,” inspired by the encyclical “Brothers All.”
Representing Cáritas Española were President Manuel Breton, Episcopal Delegate Vincent Martin, General Secretary Natalia Peiro, and Clara Sanchez from the Organizational Development Team. This assembly held particular significance following Pope Francis’ decision on November 22 to appoint an extraordinary commissioner to improve the organization’s management and prepare for upcoming elections.
One of the key highlights of the assembly was the election of Archbishop Tarcisius Isaac Kikuchi SVD as the new president of Caritas Internationalis. Archbishop Kikuchi, who serves as the President of the Japan Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Secretary General of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, will lead the Confederation for the next four years. Additionally, the assembly elected 23 members, including eight women, to its Representative Council (RepCo), marking the first time in Caritas Internationalis’ history that the body has achieved over 30% female representation.
The assembly also saw the appointment of other key members of the board of directors. Alistair Dutton, the director of Cáritas Scotland, was elected as the secretary general of Caritas Internationalis. Kirsty Robertson, CEO of Caritas Australia, was chosen as the Vice President, and Patrick Debucquois, the general secretary of Caritas Belgium, was appointed as the treasurer.
During his first address to the assembly, Archbishop Kikuchi emphasized the importance of Caritas’ mission to serve and defend the poor and vulnerable. Alistair Dutton expressed his commitment to listening, reflecting, and building bridges within the organization.
Archbishop Kikuchi has been involved with Caritas since 1995, starting as a volunteer in the Bukavu refugee camp. He has held various positions within Caritas, including executive director of Caritas Japan and president of Caritas Asia. Alistair Dutton, currently the Executive Director of SCIAF (Caritas Scotland), has over 25 years of experience in the humanitarian field.
The assembly began with a private audience with Pope Francis, who emphasized the importance of Caritas Internationalis in expressing ecclesial communion and carrying out charitable works. Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, presided over a Eucharist and highlighted Caritas’ role in offering love and service to those in need.
The assembly also addressed statutory issues and strategies for the years 2024-2030. Topics discussed included fraternal cooperation, synodality, and regionalization. The participants approved the new 2024-2030 Strategic Framework for the Caritas Confederation, which focuses on administration, subsidiarity, the dignity of the human person, and solidarity. Additionally, a new financial framework was introduced to support fragile members and allocate additional resources to regions.
The 22nd General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis provided an opportunity for delegates to come together, elect new leaders, and discuss important issues facing the organization. With a renewed focus on serving the poor and vulnerable, Caritas Internationalis continues to make a significant impact worldwide.
What were the key themes discussed during the 22nd General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis?
The 22nd General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis held in Rome was a momentous event that brought together delegates from Caritas organizations around the world. Under the theme “Building New Paths of Fraternity,” inspired by the encyclical “Brothers All,” this assembly focused on fostering unity and solidarity.
The appointment of Archbishop Tarcisius Isaac Kikuchi SVD as the new president of Caritas Internationalis brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the organization. With his role as President of the Japan Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Secretary General of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, Archbishop Kikuchi will lead Caritas Internationalis into the future.
Another significant milestone achieved during the assembly was the election of 23 members to the Representative Council (RepCo), with over 30% female representation for the first time in Caritas Internationalis’ history. This is a significant step towards promoting gender equality and inclusivity within the organization.
The assembly also saw the appointment of Alistair Dutton as the secretary general of Caritas Internationalis, bringing his expertise from his role as director of Cáritas Scotland. With these key appointments and the dedication of delegates from around the world, Caritas Internationalis is poised to continue its vital work in reaching out to those in need and building a more compassionate and just world.
As the 22nd General Assembly came to a close, the Caritas family stands united, inspired by the spirit of fraternity and committed to journeying together towards a brighter future.
