VISION, MISSION, AND VALUES

Vision, Mission, and Values

Vision of Caritas Asia

Caritas Asia envisions a just, humane and equitable society brought about through global processes of love and peace and the promotion of justice and equality.

Mission of Caritas Asia

Caritas Asia leads and builds the capacities of Member Organisations to creatively address a range of programmatic issues from emergencies to advocacy for the most vulnerable communities.

Core Values of Caritas Asia

The Core Values of Caritas Asia are in line and following the design of the Caritas Internationalis Strategic Framework 2015-2019:

“Caritas is the heart of the Church” (Pope Benedict, 2013) and “Caritas is the caress of the Mother Church to those suffering” (Pope Francis, 2013). Pope Francis calls on Caritas to help make a “poor Church for the poor” and to enlighten society towards greater solidarity, fraternity and justice. Caritas is a living witness of the love of God for all creation.

Dignity of the Human Person

Caritas believes in the intrinsic dignity and equality of every human person and the sacredness of human life, from conception to natural death, since “there is no human life that is more sacred than another, as there is no human life that is qualitatively more significant than another.” This, we categorically reject the objection or exclusion of poor, disabled, elderly, or any other vulnerable members of the one human family.

Mercy and Compassion

Caritas is compelled to take action to alleviate misery and pain. Mercy is a Gospel value that is central to the message of Jesus and forms those engaged in the work of Caritas to be loving and compassionate

Formation of the Heart

Caritas believes that “…while professional competence is a primary, fundamental requirement, it is not of itself sufficient. We are dealing with human beings, and human beings always need something more than technically proper care. They need humanity. They need heartfelt concern. Those who work for the Church’s charitable organizations must be distinguished by the fact that they do not merely meet the needs of the moment, but 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’”

Equal Opportunities and Responsibilities

Caritas is committed to promoting equal rights and responsibilities of men and women.

Preferential Option for the Poor

Caritas combats dehumanizing poverty that deprives people of their dignity and promotes the rights of poor and vulnerable people. Caritas accompanies them as they rediscover their sense of self-worth and dignity and assume co-responsibility in building a better world for all.

Universal Destination of Goods

Caritas condemns all structures – economic, financial, social, political, and cultural – that stifle and prevent positive social transformation and justice. Caritas works to change this world into one, based on the centrality of human persons and their communities, and to help people enjoy their rights.

Solidarity

Caritas is committed to solidarity among all peoples, but particularly with poor people, seeing the world through their eyes, and recognizing the interdependence of the human family. Solidarity includes the preserving determination to work for the common good. “Socio-economic problems can be resolved only with the help of all forms of solidarity: solidarity of the poor among themselves, between rich and poor; or workers among themselves, between employers and employees in a business; solidarity among nations and peoples. International solidarity is a requirement of the moral order; world peace depends in part on this.”

Subsidiarity, Fraternal Cooperation and Togetherness

Caritas acknowledges that all receive as well as give. In a spirit of fraternal communion, Caritas works together among members of the confederation, recognizing the principle of local autonomy and looking for effectiveness by taking a united approach in the realization of our common mission.

Stewardship

For Caritas, the Earth and all its resources are entrusted to all humankind. As true stewards of creation, Caritas members seek to act and to inspire others to act in an environmentally sustainable and responsible way, so that nature will be preserved for future generations.