An introduction to Caritas in East Anglia
Caritas is a Latin word meaning ‘charity’, otherwise described as ‘love in action.’ With that in mind, you will have a clue as to why an international Catholic organisation calling itself Caritas may have some relevance to our faith and to our mission in the world.
We are all called, as Christians, to offer charity – or love – to our neighbours. Jesus commands us to ‘love our neighbour as ourselves’. Indeed, Jesus goes on to tell us that on these two commandments – ‘Love God’ and ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ – hang the whole Law! (Mt 22:37-40) So this ‘caritas’ – this ‘charity’ – this ‘love in action’ – seems to be central to what we Christians are about.
This is why Caritas was set up as an international Catholic organisation – to serve (love) God by serving (loving) our sisters and brothers in need. In England and Wales, Caritas is part of the Bishops Conference and many dioceses are members of the organisation, as are many charities.
The history and past achievements of Carita East Anglia can be found in the Early History of Caritas East Anglia.
If you would like to help with the work of Caritas East Anglia, please contact: caritas@rcdea.org.uk
Caritas – ending poverty, promoting justice and restoring dignity
Caritas East Anglia encourages, supports and co-ordinates works of social outreach in the diocese. It is a member of the Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), the social action arm of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Caritas Internationalis has its headquarters in Rome – co-ordinating emergency operations, formulating development policy and advocating for a better world for everyone. All national Caritas organisations are members of their own regional Caritas networks and the international confederation.
From the founding of the first Caritas in Germany in 1897, to the setting up of Caritas Internationalis in 1951, until today, Caritas has a rich history of listening respectfully to the suffering of the poor and giving them the tools to transform their own lives. The deep moral and spiritual principles of dignity, justice, solidarity and stewardship still guide Caritas today.
What is Catholic Social Teaching?
Catholic Social Teaching explained
It is said that Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is the best kept secret of the Catholic Church. Here are some of the many resources which will help you to open up that secret.
- Caritas in Practice – the main elements of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) which underpin our work. It assumes no previous knowledge of CST.
- Catholic Social Teaching card pack – for both individual and group reflection. Introduces basic concepts in the teaching, with real life examples of the teaching in practice from agencies in the Caritas network in England and Wales. It consists of:
- Catholic Social Teaching – an introduction for schools, parishes and charities by Raymond Friel, the CEO of CSAN.
- Catholic Social Teaching Video – a video outline of the historical development of CST by Anna Rowlands, St Hilda Professor of Catholic Social Thought & Practice at the University of Durham, whose book Towards a Politics of Communion: Catholic Social Teaching in Dark Times (Bloomsbury, 2021) covers the topic comprehensively.
- The Common Good – a video outline of the concept also by Anna Rowlands.
- The Common Good Foundation – which seeks to build the ideas, institutions and relationships which will enable different interests to pursue their own ends within a shared notion of the common good.
- Leading Thinkers – a collection of essays, lectures and perspectives by people deeply engaged with the concept and practice of the Common Good.
- The London East End dockers and the Living Wage – a video showing a connection of CST to a real-world struggle:
- Modern Slavery – a Caritas East Anglia initiative to tackle a local social evil.