At the heart of everything we are called to do are three foundational elements: Catholic, Family-focused, and Community-based in our programs of disaster relief, development, and advocacy.
Catholic: Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, Caritas serves the poorest of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized regardless of race, religion, caste, or gender.
Family-focused: Prioritizes children, youth, adults, and the elderly, empowering them alongside their communities to improve well-being.
Community-based: Encourages individuals, families, and communities through “animation” and solidarity, working together to develop the whole person.
Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, our guiding principles are foundational to our work.
We believe in the intrinsic dignity and equality of every human person and the sacredness of human life, from conception to natural death. We categorically reject the exclusion of the poor, disabled and elderly people, or any other vulnerable members of our human family.
We are compelled to take action to alleviate misery and pain. Mercy is a Gospel value that is central to the message of Jesus, leading those who work for Caritas to be loving and compassionate.
We believe that “those who work for the Church’s charitable organizations must be distinguished by the fact that they dedicate themselves to others with heartfelt concern, enabling them to experience the richness of their humanity. Consequently, in addition to their necessary professional training, these charity workers need a ‘formation of the heart.”
We are committed to promoting equal rights and responsibilities of men and women.
We combat dehumanizing poverty that deprives people of their dignity and promote the rights of poor and vulnerable people. We Caritas accompany them in building a better world for all.
We work to transform economic, social, political, and cultural structures that are opposed to a just society. We work to change this world into one where all can share in the gifts of creation and enjoy basic rights.
We are committed to solidarity among all peoples, seeing the world through the eyes of the poor, and recognizing the interdependence of the human family. We will always strive to work for the common good.
We seek to work together across the confederation when a united approach can increase effectiveness and advance our common vision. We recognize the local autonomy of each organization.
We believe the earth and its resources are entrusted to all human kind. As true stewards of creation, Caritas members seek to act and inspire others to act in an environmentally sustainable way, so that nature will be preserved for future generations.
Our priorities for the period 2022–2025