Vatican introduces new rules for Caritas

Pope Benedict XVI has given his seal of approval via the Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone to new Statutes and Rules governing Caritas Internationalis, the umbrella organisation for 164 national Catholic aid and development agencies.

Caritas Internationalis President Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga received the new Statutes and Rules and a General Decree during a morning meeting with Holy See officials at the Vatican on 2 May.

"This is a day of joy and hope for Caritas Internationalis," said Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga. "Our new Statutes and Rules will modernise our work in delivering humanitarian assistance and development in service to the poor. They will provide us with the framework to carry out our work as part of the mission of the Church."

The revision of the Statutes and Rules began in 2007. They have been updated to reflect Venerable Pope John Paul II granting Canonical Legal Status to Caritas Internationalis in 2004.

Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Michel Roy said, "Our immense gratitude to Pope Benedict for granting these new Statutes and Rules and the staff of the Holy See who have worked with us through this long process.

The new Statutes and Rules clarifies that Caritas Internationalis is an organisation both at the service of the confederation members and of the Holy See."

The new Statutes and Rules became effective on 2 May and should be found along with the General Decree on the Caritas website: www.caritas.org