Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The humanitarian aid offered by Caritas Internationalis speaks in the feminine voice: Lesley-Anne Knight, age 51, from Zimbabwe and of British nationality, is the new secretary general of the Caritas Internationalis confederation, elected at the end of a General Assembly held over the past few days in the Vatican. Knight, the first woman to hold this position, worked for 25 years with CAFOD (Caritas England and Wales), where she was International Director, succeeds a Duncan Mac Laren. She takes operative control of the organisation which also elected as president Honduras Cardinal Archbishop Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa.
The newly elected secretary general said “Caritas is a treasure. I look forward with great honour to the next four years at Caritas Internationalis. The work we do here has a lasting impact on the lives of the poor, and I feel humbled to be given this responsibility by my brothers and sisters in the Caritas family.”. With regard to activity in the next few years she added: “Our priorities in the confederation will be humanitarian emergencies, integral development of the local communities and peace building. Not as diverse pieces of work, but as all part of the same program that will help the poor transform their own lives. Caritas will intensify its internal coordination, the capacity to create awareness to achieve its potential and transform the world through faith in Jesus Christ”.
In the final message of its 18th general assembly Caritas Internationalis states: “ we speak with one voice: armed with love, we can end the scandal of poverty”, noting that the work of the confederation aims for integral development of individuals and communities.
The message recalls the humanitarian and social crises in Darfur, Iraq, Colombia, Northern Uganda, Sri Lanka, Democratic Republic of Congo, difficult contexts where Caritas will work to stop conflict, help civilians in emergency situations, operate to restore normal living conditions. A special call was made for peace in the Middle East and Caritas Internationalis announced that it will continue to monitor the rich nations to see the keep their promises made to help poorer nations. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2007 righe 26 parole 269)
