Pope appoints new leaders to Caritas Internationalis

Source: Caritas Internationalis, Vatican News

In a Decree released on Tuesday, Pope Francis has appointed Dr Pier Francesco Pinelli as Temporary Administrator of Caritas Internationalis. The Decree also names Dr Maria Amparo Alonso Escobar and Rev P Manuel Morujão, SJ, as support to Dr Pinelli "for the personal and spiritual accompaniment of the employees."

The decree states that those serving as President, Vice-Presidents, General Secretary, Treasurer, and Ecclesiastical Assistant "shall cease from their respective offices" and that Cardinal Tagle, President of Caritas Internationalis until now, will assist Dr Pinelli in the duties entrusted to him.

The Pope says in the Decree, Caritas Internationalis 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 "in the light of the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church."

Pope Francis explains in the Decree his motivation for appointing a temporary administrator, is necessary to review Caritas' norms and procedures and to make necessary preparations for the elections set for the next General Assembly.

Dr Pinelli, is described in the press statement as a "well-known organizational consultant and administrator ... with a more humanist than technical way of proceeding". With a background in Ignatian spirituality, his volunteer works include "the recovery of drugs addicts, in development cooperation, support for missionary works and catechesis". His professional portfolio includes "33 years of work…in different sectors", and 10 years as "CEO and then Chairman of large energy companies". 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 "evaluation of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and of the dicasterial commission for the evaluation of the Migrants and Refugees Section".

Appointed to work alongside Dr Pinelli, Dr Maria Amparo Alonso Escobar, is currently serving as Head of Advocacy for Caritas International. Fr Manuel Morujão SJ. Fr 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 Pope Francis. The press statement notes that "the functioning of member organizations" will not be affected by these changes. Rather, it says, the measures "will serve to strengthen such service."

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD), the Dicastery in which Caritas Internationalis is situated, also issued a statement, explaining that Pope Francis's decision comes after a review of Caritas Internationalis operations by an independent panel. It clarifies that "financial matters have been well-handled and fundraising goals regularly achieved". The motivation for taking this step, the statement explains, is to better serve "its member charitable organizations around the world".

The statement clarifies that "no evidence emerged of financial mismanagement or sexual impropriety," but that "real deficiencies were noted in management and procedures, seriously prejudicing team-spirit and staff morale".

Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, Prefect of the DPIHD, acknowledges in the statement that "the needs of the many whom Caritas serves" has increased markedly in recent years... It is imperative that Caritas Internationalis be well prepared to meet these challenges."

With this decision, Cardinal Czerny explains that "Pope Francis invites us to consider 'the mission that Caritas is called to carry out in the Church…. 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's embrace of every person, particularly of the least and the suffering, those who occupy a preferential place in his heart' (27 May 2019). These words inspire everyone involved in CI to ensure the organization proves equal to its mission".

The President emeritus of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, read the Pope's decree to participants at a plenary meeting in Rome: "The Holy Father's decision came after careful and independent study. There is no question of abuse or financial mismanagement. The work for the poor continues."

The new commissioner, Dr Pier Francesco Pinelli, said: "This is a check-point to improve what is already excellent."

Papal biographer Austen Ivereigh told ICN: "The reasons given for the intervention were that it was a management issue and part of the reform of the Curia. According to Francis's new apostolic constitution that came into effect earlier this year, people who work in the Vatican need to have 'the highest sense of cooperation, shared responsibility and respect for the competence of others.' Reports suggest that Caritas's lay-led governance under its ousted head was the very opposite of this. The intervention appears to be very popular with the folk who work at Caritas."