Catholic relief agency Caritas Internationalis replaced its entire leadership. After the General Assembly held a few days ago, it now has a new President, Vice-President, Secretary General and Treasurer.
Its first goal is to develop a more empathetic work culture. The problematic work environment was the main reason why Pope Francis dismissed former Secretary General Aloysius John of his position—allegations he has denied in a letter to the Associated Press.
ABP. TARCISIUS ISAO KIKUCHI
President, Caritas Internationalis
There were some difficulties in the General Secretariat in the past few months. So I think we have to go through to see the staff and don't try to produce the conducive atmosphere in office to work.
Archbishop. Kikuchi of Tokyo is the new President of Caritas Internationalis. He takes the baton from Cardinal Tagle, who presided over the confederation until November 2022.
Archbishop Kikuchi was formerly the Executive Director and President of Caritas Japan. He also chaired Caritas Asia. As a Divine Word Missionary, he was parish priest for eight years in a small village in Ghana.
FR. TARCISIUS ISAO KIKUCHI
President, Caritas Internationalis
Because of my experience in Ghana I was made really open to the new cultures, new languages and new traditions and other things.
The new Secretary General is Alistair Dutton. He is Scottish layman, although he became a Jesuit novice. He speaks very clearly about what happened at Caritas Internationalis.
ALISTAIR DUTTON
Secretary General, Caritas Internationalis
The first is within the office of Caritas Internationalis itself in Palazzo San Calisto. And obviously the staff there have been through a hard time. We know that, that's not new. What I want to do now is come in and listen to them and slowly think thorugh how we can continue the proccess of reconciliation that has already started.
Alistair Dutton says that the work environment once alienated the agency from the Holy See. This is no longer the case.
ALISTAIR DUTTON
Secretary General, Caritas Internationalis
Caritas had lost the trust and confidence. Caritas Internationalis, not the members. Caritas Internationalis had for a moment lost the trust and confidence of the Holy Father and the Holy See. And so what me and Bishop Kikuchi are really clear about is that we want to build that relationshio with the Holy See to reassure, to win that trust and then we can work well together.
Caritas Internationalis has also appointed Patrick Debucquois of Belgium as its new treasurer. And Kirsty Robertson as the Vice President who was formerly the Director of Caritas Australia.
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