The “management and moral” problems that led the Pope to intervene in Cáritas, the largest charity

So far in his pontificate, the Pope Francisco he has championed a humanitarian vision of the work that charity represents. “The poor are not numbers but people”“let us not fall into the temptation of living a hypocritical or deceitful charity” either “it’s scandalous to see charity workers turning it into a business” are some of the phrases that the pontiff launched in 2019 in a organized event by Caritas Internationalis (CI), the largest charitable arm of the Catholic Church worldwide.

For this reason, when this Tuesday, the 22nd, Francisco announced a strong intervention in that organization due to management and moral problems, many saw an inevitable measure to defend the principles of his papacy.

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The Vatican Department for Integral Human Development, which oversees Caritas Internationalissaid a review of the work environment this year by outside experts in management and psychology found malaise and malpractice at its headquarters.

The Holy See reported that the review found no evidence of financial mismanagement or sexual misconduct, but found “real deficiencies” in management, “seriously damaging team spirit and staff morale.”

News agencies such as Reuters have detailed that the problems include accusations of harassment, favoritism, humiliation of employees, mismanagement of human resources, as well as incompetence during the management of the organization’s CEO, Aloysius John, especially in the management of a sexual abuse scandal at Caritas operations in the Central African Republic.

Join us this 13-20 November as we come together again to mark the #WorldDayOfThePoor and #WorldYouthDay with a week of prayer, reflection, and action! See the whole program at https://t.co/qgYUiJ4DgN #PrayActCaritas #AriseAndGo pic.twitter.com/xZvkR2ntAH

— Caritas (@iamCARITAS) November 11, 2022

In response, Francis fired the entire leadership of Caritas Internationalis and appointed a commissioner to lead it. The changes, however, do not affect the leadership of any of the 162 Catholic relief and development organizations that make up the Caritas confederation in more than 200 countries.

In a decree published by the Vatican, the dismissal of John, who was elected in a contested vote in 2019, as well as that of all members of the Council of Representatives and the Executive Committee, the president and vice presidents, the secretary general, the treasurer and the ecclesiastical assistant.

The extraordinary commissioner (auditor) chosen was Pier Francesco Pinelli, who will have the task of “directing the organization temporarily and with all the powers of government, in accordance with common law and the Statutes and Regulations of the Institution and with full power to repeal them , if it deems it appropriate or necessary.

Global key organization

Caritas Internationalis, based in Rome, is considered the largest charitable organization of the Holy See. The entity reported income of about 5.1 million euros (5.2 million dollars) in 2020 and expenses of 4.4 million euros, according to its annual balance sheet.

Pope Francis speaks during an audience with members of the Communion and Liberation (CL) movement, October 15, 2022, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP).

“It is the main institution that the Catholic Church has in terms of charity and that is why the measure is so relevant. I believe that this will allow the Pope to monitor the administration of the institution more closely.”, he tells El Comercio Juan Fonseca, historian expert in religious subjects.

Among those affected by the decree is Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who was nominally president of Caritas, though not involved in day-to-day operations. While he will step down as president, he will remain in a new role to help the commissioner maintain relations with national Caritas offices and prepare for the election of a new leadership next year.

Tagle is not just any figure. His main job at the Vatican is to direct the missionary arm of the Church. Furthermore, he is often considered a possible future Pope.

“Pier Francesco Pinelli is someone Francis trusted, he is a Jesuit. In addition, one of those who will follow up on all the measures is Cardinal Tagle, who is a very interesting figure who many consider papable. In addition, in Francisco’s speech there is a special concern for the poorest and those in need, which is why this measure exemplifies that they are being given greater relevance and priority attention.”, highlights Fonseca.

From word to action

Fonseca points out that these types of measures by Francisco are framed within a plan to demonstrate with concrete actions what he has preached since the beginning of his pontificate.

The Pope has highlighted the role of charity in the Church. (Photo: File)

“It means an effort to update the mission of the Church starting from a less bureaucratic and more humane and pastoral service. This is important because Francisco is criticized from some sectors because it seems that he has nice words, but it seems that he lacks concrete gestures, so this is an example that he is already moving to the phase of gestures “points out.

Rudolf Gehrig, Vatican correspondent for CNA Deutsch, believes Francis is trying to send the message that he does not tolerate any inconsistency or abuse. “What exactly has happened is still being elucidated. At the moment, there is only talk of deficiencies in the management and procedures of Caritas Internationalis, which would have seriously affected the team spirit and the morale of the staff. Now, Francis makes it clear that he applies high Catholic standards to his own institution as well. It is an important step for credibility, both internal and external.”, he tells El Comercio.

Although Cáritas has, in general, a solid reputation in the world and in countries like Peru, Francisco seems to want to combat a fear that he has already expressed in the past: that charity becomes a professionalized practice and that Cáritas does not stand out. from any other charitable institution.

“Francisco said several years ago that Caritas is like the affection that the Church gives to the poor, so it cannot be like other philanthropic or charitable organizations that sometimes see the poor as simply a field of professional practice, but that their role has It has to be understood from a mission and real charity perspective. I think that is what he wants to reinforce in this new stagesays Fonseca.

For your part. Gehrig stresses that the case is a delicate blow to the credibility of the Catholic Church. “Especially in charity, it is important that people can trust the institution. On the other hand, Francis’ harsh repression also shows that the Holy See is acting against abuses and irregularities. This is more than an important sign.”

Source: Elcomercio