Caritas Europa

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Coordinates: 50°50′51″N 4°22′13″E / 50.8473883°N 4.3703264°E / 50.8473883; 4.3703264
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Caritas Europa
AbbreviationCE
Established19 July 1993[1]
FocusHumanitarian aid, International development and social service
Location
Coordinates50°50′51″N 4°22′13″E / 50.8473883°N 4.3703264°E / 50.8473883; 4.3703264
Region served
Europe
Secretary General
Maria Nyman
Michael Landau, president
Vice-President
Tetiana Stawnychy
Main organ
General Assembly, Executive Board
Parent organization
Caritas Internationalis
Revenue (2022)
€2,232,472[2]
Expenses (2022)€2,238,756[2]
Staff (2022)
18 (secretariat)[2]
Websitecaritas.eu
Formerly called
Euro-Caritas (1985-1993)

Caritas Europa is a European confederation of Catholic social service providers and international development and humanitarian relief organisations operating in Europe. It is one of the seven regions of Caritas Internationalis.[3]

Caritas Europa refers to both the European network with its 49 member organizations, and its secretariat based in Brussels, Belgium.

History[edit]

Caritas Germany was the first Caritas organisation was established in 1897.[4] Over the following decades, numerous other Caritas organisations emerged in other countries. Caritas Internationalis, the global Confederation of all national Caritas organisations, was founded in 1950 in Rome.[5] Its European members worked together as the informal "European region" of Caritas Internationalis and starting in 1966 met every two years. Cooperation and collaboration increased throughout the 1970s and 1980s, especially after the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC administration insisted on working with a unique interlocutor instead of individual NGOs. For this reason, the Caritas network in Europe and other NGOs created the NGO Euronaid in 1980, particularly for the distribution of food aid by the EEC.[6][7]

In the 1980s, European Caritas organisations recognized an increasing need for a pan-European Caritas structure. Rather than establishing a formal legal entity, they opted to have European member organisations collaborate through consortia with varying memberships tailored to different areas of work.[8] For instance, one consortium focused on providing aid in Poland, while another implemented programmes in Russia, and so forth. This collaborative model was endorsed during its general assembly, formally called "Regional Conference", of the European members of Caritas Internationalis in Luxembourg in May 1985. This new cooperation model was named Euro-Caritas and was overseen by Caritas Belgium in Brussels. Edward de Brandt was appointed as its Managing Director and served in that capacity until 1992. Euro-Caritas was mostly an initiative of the Caritas organisations based in the European Economic Community, the predecessor of the European Union.[8]

At the same time, between 1983 and 1991, the name "Caritas Europa" was used as working title for the European region of Caritas Internationalis. This structure continued its work also outside of the European Economic Community, such as with the Council of Europe.[9]

After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of communism, numerous new Caritas organisations emerged in central and eastern European nations. At the regional conference of the European region of Caritas Internationalis in Vienna, in 1991, Luc Trouillard of Caritas France was elected as Secretary-General and Msgr. William Kenney from Sweden was elected as President.[10]

In July 1993, Caritas Europa was formally established as a non-profit association under Belgian law with its secretariat based in Brussels.[1] Until then, the secretariat had been located in Lucerne in the premises of Caritas Switzerland.[11] This new legal framework consolidated the former Euro-Caritas structures and the European region of Caritas Internationalis into a unified entity. In 2015, the Caritas Europa secretariat moved its office into the same building as Caritas International Belgium in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Brussels.[1]

Work[edit]

An Austrian Caritas volunteer supporting in the preparation and distribution of food in Graz.
Textitle collection box from Caritas Spain in San Andrés del Rabanedo.
Caritas Poland distributing bags with food in Sanok.
An Austrian Caritas worker visiting a patient in the geriatric ward of a hosptial in Salzburg.

Caritas Europa consists of 49 national member organisations that are working in 46 European countries. The member organisations are active in combating poverty and social exclusion, providing social and welfare services, dealing with migration and asylum issues, combating human trafficking, providing humanitarian aid in Europe and across the world, regional development, peace programmess and projects around the world. Caritas Europa fosters cooperation and mutual learning among its member organisations and facilitates capacity building, joint advocacy and joint projects and programmes.

The secretariat, headquartered in Brussels, employs staff engaged in advocacy activities targeting the European Union, the Council of Europe, and their respective member states. They focus on policy issues concerning poverty, social inequality, migration, asylum, emergency humanitarian assistance, and international development globally.[12]

Caritas Europa is affiliated with a range of other platforms, including the European development NGO network CONCORD, the European humanitarian NGO network VOICE, the social and healthcare organisation network Social Services Europe, the European Council on Refugees and Exiles and others.[12] Caritas Europa states that it maintains a "privileged partnership" with the Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe (CCEE), the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and CIDSE, an umbrella organization for Catholic development agencies from Europe and North America.[13]

Membership[edit]

Over the years, the number of member organisations has continuously increased. As of 2024, Caritas Europa consists of 49 national member organisations operating in 46 European countries, covering every European Union and Council of Europe member state, as well as Belarus, Kosovo and Russia.[13]

In certain countries, multiple Caritas member organisations exist. For example, Ukraine has Caritas Ukraine (Greek-Catholic bishops' initiative) and Caritas-Spes (Roman Catholic bishops' initiative). In the United Kingdom, there are three Caritas organisations: CAFOD for international programmes and CSAN for national social programmes, while SCIAF serves as the national Caritas organisation in Scotland. Northern Ireland is covered by Trócaire, the Irish member. Because Caritas Europa adheres to the structure of the Catholic Church, Caritas Cyprus is not affiliated with Caritas Europa, although Cyprus is an EU Member State.[13] Instead, Caritas Cyprus is part of another region within Caritas Internationalis known as Caritas Middle East and Northern Africa (Caritas MONA).

National Caritas organisations are the members of Caritas Europa. In most countries, each national organisation serves as an umbrella for various diocesan Caritas organisations. Diocesan and parish Caritas groups operate locally[14] but are not direct members of Caritas Europa.

Membership activities vary widely. Some organisations focus solely on domestic social welfare (e.g., Caritas Moldova[15] or Caritas Montenegro[16]), while others specialize in international development and humanitarian aid (e.g., Cordaid,[17] CAFOD[18]). Some organisations engage in both domestic and international activities (e.g., Caritas Spain,[19] Caritas Luxembourg,[20] Caritas Poland[21]).

Certain member organisations working internationally act as "partnership organisations", supporting local partners abroad without direct implementation. Examples include Caritas Portugal and Caritas Denmark.[22] Others, like Caritas Czech Republic and Caritas Switzerland, establish offices in third countries to directly manage humanitarian and development projects.[23][24]

As Caritas Europa is one of the seven regions of Caritas Internationalis, all members of Caritas Europa are also member of Caritas Internationalis.[25]

List of Member organisations[edit]

Country Member organisation
(English name) 		Member organisation
(Local name) 		Established Comment
 Albania Caritas Albania Caritas Shqiptar 1993
 Andorra Caritas Andorra Caritas Andorrana 1993
 Armenia Armenian Caritas Հայկական Կարիտաս 1995
 Austria Caritas Austria Caritas Österreich 1897
 Azerbaijan Caritas Azerbaijan Karitas Azərbaycanda ? Corresponding member
 Belarus Caritas Belarus Дабрачыннае каталіцкае таварыства Карытас 1990
 Belgium Caritas in Belgium Caritas en Belgique, Caritas in België 1949 Brings together the three Belgian Caritas organisations.[26]
 Bosnia and Herzegovina Caritas Bosnia and Herzegovina Caritas Bosne i Hercegovine 1995
 Bulgaria Caritas Bulgaria Каритас България 1993
 Croatia Caritas Croatia Hrvatski Caritas 1992
 Czech Republic Caritas Czech Republic Charita Česká republika 1922
 Denmark Caritas Denmark Caritas Danmark 1947
 Estonia Caritas Estonia Caritas Eesti 1997
 Finland Caritas Finland Suomen Caritas 1960
 France Caritas France Secours catholique 1946
 Georgia Caritas Georgia საქართველოს კარიტასი 1994
 Germany Caritas Germany Deutscher Caritasverband 1897 Oldest Caritas in the world
 Greece Caritas Hellas Κάριτας Ελλάς 1976
 Hungary Caritas Hungary Katolikus Karitász / Caritas Hungarica 1931
 Iceland Caritas Iceland — 1989
 Ireland Trócaire — 1973 Only works internationally
 Italy Caritas Italy Caritas Italiana 1971
 Kosovo Caritas Kosovo Caritas Kosova 1992 Corresponding member
 Latvia Caritas Latvia Caritas Latvija 2004
 Lithuania Caritas Lithuania Lietuvos Caritas 1926
 Luxembourg Caritas Luxembourg — 1932
 North Macedonia Caritas Macedonia Makedonski Karitas 1993
 Malta Caritas Malta — 1965
 Moldova Caritas Moldova — 1995
 Monaco Caritas Monaco — 1990
 Montenegro Caritas Montenegro Caritas Crne Gore 1979
 Netherlands Cordaid — 2000 Only works internationally
 Norway Caritas Norway Caritas Norge 1952
 Poland Caritas Poland Caritas Polska 1990
 Portugal Caritas Portugal Cáritas Portuguesa 1956
 Romania Caritas Romania Confederația Caritas România 1994
 Russia Caritas Russia Каритас Россия 1991
 Serbia Caritas Serbia Caritas Srbije 1995
 Slovakia Caritas Slovakia Slovenská katolícka charita 1927
 Slovenia Caritas Slovenia Slovenska karitas 1995
 Spain Caritas Spain Cáritas Española 1947
 Sweden Caritas Sweden Caritas Sverige 1946
 Switzerland Caritas Switzerland Caritas Schweiz, Caritas Suisse, Caritas Svizerra, Caritas Svizra 1901
 Turkey Caritas Turkey Caritas Türkiye 1951
 Ukraine Caritas Ukraine Карітас України 1992 Caritas of the Greek Catholic rite
 Ukraine Caritas-Spes Карітас-Спес 1991 Caritas of the Roman Catholic rite
 United Kingdom: England and Wales Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) — 1960 Only works internationally
 United Kingdom: England and Wales Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) — 2003 Only works in England and Wales
 United Kingdom: Scotland Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund SCIAF — 1965 Only works internationally

Executive Leadership[edit]

Presidents[edit]

The position of "President of Caritas Europa" was established in 1992, just before the network was legally created. Prior to 1992, the official title was "Vice-President of Caritas Internationalis - Regio Europa".[27]

  • 1961-1965: Jacques de Bourbon-Busset
  • 1965-1969: Abramo Freschi
  • 1969-1972: Leopold Ungar
  • 1972-1975: Juan Antonio Masip Pinilla
  • 1975-1983: Louis Gaben
  • 1983-1991: Fridolin Kissling
  • 1991-1999: Msgr. William Kenney
  • 1999-2005: Denis Viénot
  • 2005-2007: Cristina Loghin
  • 2007-2015: Fr. Erny Gillen
  • 2015-2020: Msgr. Luc Van Looy
  • 2020-now: Fr. Michael Landau

General Secretaries[edit]

  • 1983-1991: Walter E. Laetsch
  • 1985-1992: Edward de Brandt (Managing Director of Euro-Caritas)
  • 1991-1995: Luc Trouillard
  • 1996-2002: Hermann Icking
  • 2002-2010: Marius Wanders
  • 2010-2019: Jorge Nuño Mayer

Selected Photos and Videos[edit]

Literature[edit]

  • Moved With Compassion - The History of Caritas Europa - Festschrift on the Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Caritas Europa's Statutes 1993-2018. Jorge Nuño Mayer. 2018. ISBN 978-972-9008-55-9.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Caritas Europa in the Belgian central registry (BCE), retrieved on 19 April 2024
  2. ^ a b c "Annual report 2022". caritas.eu. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Caritas Internationalis | Catholic charity, humanitarian aid, social justice | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  4. ^ "The History of Caritas in Germany". caritas-germany.org. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  5. ^ "Caritas Internationalis (CI)". uia.org. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Moved With Compassion", pp. 47-48
  7. ^ "European Community Food Aid Activity Report 1994". EUR-Lex. Commission of the European Communities. 1995. pp. 49–50. ISBN 92-77-93895-1.
  8. ^ a b "Moved With Compassion", pp. 54-55
  9. ^ "Moved With Compassion", p. 55
  10. ^ "Moved With Compassion", p. 56
  11. ^ Altermatt, Urs (2001). "Schweizerischer Caritasverband 1901-2001". Zeitschrift für schweizerische Kirchengeschichte = Revue d'histoire ecclésiastique suisse. 95: 179–196. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Caritas Europa". lobbyfacts.eu. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  13. ^ a b c "Who we are - Introducing Caritas Europa". caritas.eu. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  14. ^ Pope Benedict XVI (11 November 2012). "Apostolic letter issued 'motu proprio' on the service of charity (Intima ecclesiae natura)". vatican.va. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Caritas Moldova". spherestandards.org. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Početna - Caritas". caritascg.me. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Cordaid". reliefweb.int. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  18. ^ "CAFOD". reliefweb.int. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  19. ^ Rios, Loreto (28 June 2023). "Caritas helped 2.8 million people by 2022". omnesmag.com. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  20. ^ "22,000 people in Luxembourg used Caritas services in 2018". rtl.lu. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Caritas Poland". ersonetwork.org. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  22. ^ "Rapporter og resultater". caritas.dk. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  23. ^ "Caritas Czech Republic". developmentaid.org. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  24. ^ "ToR: Mid-term Evaluation of Caritas Switzerland's International Cooperation Programme 2017-2020" (PDF). seval.ch. 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  25. ^ "Caritas works in all regions of the world". caritas.org. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  26. ^ Caritas in Belgium does not legally exist but is an umbrella for Caritas Flanders (Caritas Vlaanderen) , Caritas in French- & German-speaking Belgium (Caritas francophone), and Caritas International
  27. ^ Moved With Compassion: The History of Caritas Europa 1993-2018, 2018, Responsible Publisher: Jorge Nuño Mayer, ISBN 978-972-9008-55-9

External links[edit]

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