More than 450 people from 164 different Caritas Internationalis agencies came together in Rome for their Plenary Assembly and met Pope Francis.
The president of the organization, Cardinal Tagle led the group in thanking the pope.
'Holy Father, on behalf of the family of Caritas Internationalis, I thank you for having responded to our request and granting us this special audience.”
Pope Francis reminded them that the practice of charity must go beyond merely offering material assistance to those in need.
POPE FRANCIS
“Always be careful not to fall into the temptation of living a hypocritical or false charity, a charity identified with almsgiving, with philanthropy or as 'a calming pill' for our restless conscience”.
Pope Francis explained that charity is the embrace which God gives everybody, especially the least and most needy amongst us. They are not numbers, but rather people. Therefore, he told these Caritas workers and volunteers that the Church cannot become an NGO, but must also offer spiritual care.
POPE FRANCIS
'If we were to consider charity as an act of service, the Church would become a humanitarian agency and charitable ministry would be 'its logistics department.'
The pope also lamented that the practice of charity has become a business for many.
POPE FRANCIS
“It is scandalous to see charity workers transforming it into a business. They talk a lot about charity, but live in luxury. They organize charitable events squandering a lot of money unnecessarily.”
Finally, he insisted there can be no true charity without a personal relationship with the poor. He explained how charity is false if it does not reach out and touch the heart and soul.
