Caritas India is the official national organisation of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India for social development.
It was established in 1962 to assist the Church in India in efforts to eradicate poverty, reach relief and rehabilitation in times of disasters and organize communities for self advancement.
During the last four decades of its humanitarian and development efforts, Caritas India has served the poor and marginalized, without any distinction of caste, creed and ethnicity.
What is Caritas?
The word Caritas comes from Latin. It means, Charity - Love. The name connotes the Church’s efforts to bring Compassion and Love to Humanity, as Mother Theresa aptly put it, Charity is Love in Action.
Caritas exists to bring Solidarity and Social Justice.
Caritas across the world works under the following guiding principles:
Uphold the human dignity everywhere and all times
Combat the de-humanizing poverty through option for the poor
Strengthen the capacities of the local partners
Protect the Unity of the Family through formation of values
Build Solidarity and Partners globally and locally
What Caritas India aspires to do?
Alleviate human suffering and misery in a sprit of charity and compassion
Give concrete expression to Christian love, so that all may individually and collectively grow into that fullness of humanity as at creation.
Educate people and make them conscious and concerned about social justice, cooperation and self-reliance.
How is it realized?
Empower local communities to initiate and sustain their own humanization process.
Promote the growth and development of local and regional structures.
Encourage formation of people's Organizations at grassroots to help social justice, peace and total human development.
Caritas India is a member of the confederation of Caritas Internationalis. As such, it now exists in 160 countries and serves 200 countries and territories