Cardinal Cleemis echoes Church’s service to Nepal quake victims

Vatican City — Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), issued an appeal on behalf of the Catholic Church of India to help the quake victims in Nepal. The Cardinal has expressed solidarity and support for quake victims and made an plea to the bishops, priests, and men and women religious to encourage the community of the faithful, public institutions and people of good will to make voluntary contributions to this humanitarian emergency, reported Vatican Radio .
For several days, Caritas India has been on the ground, involved in rescue and recovery. The Indian Catholic Church was among the first to express its solidarity to the people of Nepal, offering prayers and condolences to all those who lost loved ones and property to the quake.
More than ten days after the quake, many people are still living out in the open, not even a tent over their heads. Drinking water is also in short supply and there is rising concern about the impact of possible epidemics on the most vulnerable, especially children.

(http://mattersindia.com/cardinal-cleemis-echoes-churchs-service-to-nepal-quake-victims/)

Indian Jesuit to address Caritas summit on inequalities

New Delhi: A leading Jesuit activist from India is among those invited to help the worldwide Caritas organization in its search for a “poor Church for the poor.”

Fr Cedric Prakash will address more than 400 Caritas delegates, Vatican representatives, NGOs and religious leaders, who are expected in Rome for the May 12-17 General Assembly of the Catholic Church’s major social wing.

The quadrennial assembly will begin with a special Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica. The delegates then move to Rome’s Domus Mariae for the assembly where speakers such as Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and theologian Dominican Father Gustavo Gutierrez will address them.

Caritas Internationalis President, Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga, will open the event which focuses on the theme: “One Human Family, Caring for Creation.”

Fr Prakash, who directs Prashant (tranquility), a center for human rights, justice and peace in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, will talk on how to reduce inequalities and achieve a really sustainable development during a two-hour session at 3 pm on May 13.

During the six days the assembly will study how growing inequalities are posing a challenge to the human family and the effects of climate change on development.

(http://mattersindia.com/indian-jesuit-to-address-caritas-summit-on-inequalities/)

Caritas India dispatches relief team to quake-hit Nepal - Caritas India appealed the nation to come forward and offer support for the quake-hit country.

New Delhi: 

Caritas India, the social arm of the Catholic Church in India, today sent a five-member team to Nepal to conduct an assessment and analysis of the damage done by the devastating earthquake that hit the country after eight decades.

Caritas India appealed the nation to come forward and offer support for the quake-hit country.

Caritas organizations from all over the world are mobilising resources. The cost of major relief articles which includes drinking water, tent, rice bags, dry food cost 700 rupees and can support a family for a week.

(http://www.ucanindia.in/news/caritas-india-dispatches-relief-team-to-quake-hit-nepal/28736/daily)

Nepal: Caritas India will invite generous funds from the business houses for this cause

International: 

Caritas Internationlis, a network of Caritas member organizations across the world, has requested US$ 100,000 to provide for immediate relief and temporary shelter quake-hit people in Nepal.

At least 2,000 people were killed and thousands of hosuese were destroyed when a 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit the Himalayan nation on Saturday.

It has paralyzed capital Kathmandu, Pokhara and surrounding areas in Nepal and parts of northern India

“The international Caritas network has begun procuring tarpaulins, shelter kits and water, sanitation and hygiene materials. They are also looking to address the need of trauma counselling for people who are out in open spaces and some in temporary shelters around Kathmandu," said a press release from Cartias.

Caritas India Executive Director Fr. Frederick D’Souza has agreed to send a team of experts from India to set up a stronger relief base in Nepal. Besides the human resource, India will invite generous funds from the business houses for this cause.

“Even as we get ready to send more help, Caritas India’s South Zonal Manager Dr Haridas is already part of the response team” Fr. Frederick informed Caritas India Chairman Bishop Lumen Monteiro. Bishop Lumen requested everyone’s prayer in this mission.

(http://www.ucanindia.in/news/caritas-appeals-for-100000-support-for-nepal/28710/daily)

Caritas India

Kolkata: 

Caritas India, the social action wing of the Church in India, has launched a new project in West Bengal to help marginal farmers improve their socio-economic status through right farming methods.

http://www.ucanindia.in/news/caritas-launches-project-to-help-marginal-farmers/28632/daily

Caritas - Our mission: Toward a civilization of love

Caritas shares the mission of the Catholic Church to serve the poor and to promote charity and justice throughout the world.

Faith in action
We are inspired by the Gospels, by the teachings of the Catholic Church and by the hopes of people living in poverty. We encourage everyone to respond to humanitarian disasters, to promote integral human development and to advocate on the causes of poverty and violence. We animate Catholic communities and all people of good will in solidarity with the suffering of their brothers and sisters around the world.

Emergency response
Caritas responds practically to humanitarian crises such as natural disasters, conflict and the effects of climate change. We save lives, relieve suffering and help rebuild livelihoods and communities in the longer-term. This allows women and men in the poorest and most vulnerable communities to survive and recover from crises and to live in a safe and secure environment.

Transforming lives
Caritas promotes integral human development so that people in the worst off and most disadvantaged communities are free to flourish and live in peace and dignity. We work to ensure that our natural environment is managed responsibly and sustainably in the interests of the entire human family.

Calling for a better world
Caritas seeks a world where the voices of the poor are heard and acted upon. This is a world where women and men in the poorest and most disadvantaged communities are able to influence the systems, decisions and resources that affect them. They can then live under governments, institutions and global structures that are just and accountable.

(http://www.caritas.org/)

Caritas Hong Kong, one of the largest diocesan Caritas in the world, with over 10 thousand volunteers and projects in India, Japan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia, China

Hong Kong - Tireless work to "contribute to the formation and development of man": is what is carried out by Caritas Hong Kong, one of the largest diocesan Caritas in the world, with over 10 thousand volunteers and projects in India, Japan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia, China. This is what His Eminence Cardinal Robert Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum stressed in an interview with Fides Agency, who traveled in past weeks in Hong Kong on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of Caritas. The Cardinal brought with him the loving concern of Pope Francis, who notes Cardinal Sarah, "thinks much about Asia, in particular about China. The support he offers is a sign that the Church has at heart everyone’s well-being, regardless of their religious or political affiliation."

(http://www.news.va/en/news/asiahongkong-dialogue-and-charity-for-a-new-societ)