杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Reis, fsp

In a released on Tuesday, 杏MAP导航 Francis has appointed Dr Pier Francesco Pinelli as Temporary Administrator (Commissario straordinario in the original Decree) of Caritas Internationalis. The Decree also names Dr Maria Amparo Alonso Escobar and  Rev. P. Manuel Morujão, S.J., as support to Dr Pinelli "for the personal and spiritual accompaniment of the employees鈥�.

In addition the decree also states that those serving as President, Vice-Presidents, General Secretary, Treasurer, and Ecclesiastical Assistant 鈥渟hall cease from their respective offices鈥�; and that Cardinal Tagle, President of Caritas Internationalis until now, will assist Dr Pinelli in the duties entrusted to him.

Caritas Internationalis, the 杏MAP导航 says in the Decree, assists him personally in his own ministry to the poorest and most in need, manages humanitarian crises, and collaborates in spreading charity throughout the world 鈥渋n the light of the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis also explains in the Decree his motivation for appointing a temporary administrator, saying the move is necessary to review Caritas鈥� norms and procedures and to make necessary preparations for the elections set for the next General Assembly.

About the new appointees

Temporary Administrator of Caritas Internationalis, Dr Pinelli, is described in the Press Statement as a 鈥渨ell-known organizational consultant and administrator鈥�, 鈥渨ith a more humanist than technical way of proceeding鈥�. With a background in Ignatian spirituality, his volunteer works include 鈥渢he recovery of drugs addicts, in development cooperation, support for missionary works and catechesis鈥�. His professional portfolio includes 鈥�33 years of work鈥�in different sectors鈥�, and 10 years as 鈥淐EO and then Chairman of large energy companies鈥�. His consultancy expertise has benefited the religious, secular, and cultural sectors, including serving as the Administrator of the Italian Government for the rehabilitation of cultural and performing arts organizations, the Jesuit Education Foundation, the DPIHD, Magis, and Treccani. Dr Pinelli was a member of a pontifical commission appointed for the 鈥渆valuation of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and of the dicasterial commission for the evaluation of the Migrants and Refugees Section鈥�.

Alongside Dr Pinelli will be Dr Maria Amparo Alonso Escobar, currently serving as Head of Advocacy for Caritas International, and by Fr Manuel Morujão S.J. Economist Dr Alonso is a graduate of Extremadura University and has worked with various Caritas member organizations for 28 years. Father Morujão, has been involved in pastoral and spiritual ministry in Goa, Cape Verde, as well as his native Portugal, and was appointed as a Missionary of Mercy by 杏MAP导航 Francis. The Press Statement further states that 鈥渢he functioning of member organizations鈥� will not be affected by these changes. Rather, the Statement emphasizes, the measures announced today 鈥渨ill serve to strengthen such service鈥�.

Decree follows review process

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD), the Dicastery in which Caritas Internationalis is situated, also issued a Press Statement, explaining that 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥檚 decision comes 鈥渁fter a review of its [Caritas Internationalis] operations by an independent panel鈥�. It further clarifies that 鈥渇inancial matters have been well-handled and fundraising goals regularly achieved鈥�. The motivation for taking this step, the Statement explains, is to better serve 鈥渋ts member charitable organizations around the world鈥�.

The decisions announced today follow a review commissioned by the DPIHD. The scope of this review was 鈥渢he CI General Secretariat and the alignment with Catholic values of human dignity and respect for each person. The review was performed by a panel of independent experts that included, in addition to Dr Pinelli, psychologists Fr Enrico Parolari and Dr Francesca Busnelli鈥�. The Statement further clarifies that 鈥渘o evidence emerged of financial mismanagement or sexual impropriety鈥�, but that 鈥渞eal deficiencies were noted in management and procedures, seriously prejudicing team-spirit and staff morale鈥�.

Cardinal Michael Czerny S.J., Prefect of the DPIHD, acknowledges in the Press Statement that 鈥渢he needs of the many whom Caritas serves鈥� has increased markedly in recent years鈥�. 鈥淚t is imperative that Caritas Internationalis be well prepared to meet these challenges鈥�, he stated. With today鈥檚 decision, Cardinal Czerny explains that 鈥溞覯AP导航 Francis invites us to consider 鈥榯he mission that Caritas is called to carry out in the Church鈥�. What we must never forget is that charity has its origin and its essence in God himself (cf. 1 Jn 4:8); charity is God our Father鈥檚 embrace of every person, particularly of the least and the suffering, those who occupy a preferential place in his heart鈥� (27 May 2019). These words inspire everyone involved in CI to ensure the organization proves equal to its mission鈥�.

Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of 162  ,  and social service organizations, operating in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Its headquarters is incorporated in the Holy See and is supervised by the DPIHD.