VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI, acting through his secretary of state, has approved new statutes and rules for Caritas Internationalis.
The aid organization is the umbrella group for 164 national Catholic aid and development agencies.
Caritas Internationalis President Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga received the new statutes and rules and a general decree during a morning meeting at the Vatican today.
“This is a day of joy and hope for Caritas Internationalis,” said Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga. “Our new Statutes and Rules will modernize 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 Blessed 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 organization both at the service of the confederation members and of the Holy See.”
The new statutes and rules are effective as of today and can be found along with the general decree on the Caritas Web site.
