The Pontifical Council Cor Unum
Structure, purpose and goals of the Pontifical Council
Cor Unum, the Pope's charity arm
Cor Unum and the encyclical Deus Caritas Est
Pope Benedict XVI addresses Cor Unum
Interview with Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — It was Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes who explained the connection between charity and mission: a bond — Cordes told Fides News Service — «which in practice the Church has always lived». «Her mission has never failed to have at heart the needs of people, in the material and historical dimension. Today perhaps there is a need to underline once again that charity does not exist without mission: not in order to proselytise, which the Pope in his encyclical Deus Caritas est excludes, but instead to reaffirm that serving the human person is bearing witness to God and to His love for humanity. This aspects deserves deeper analysis: for a long time it was thought that meeting man's material needs was sufficient. But the human person is made of spirit too; humanity's need is also and indeed above all a need for God. Charitable activity cannot overlook this basic element if it intends to be faithful to humanity, meeting the needs of the whole person. Certainly the body has needs, but we must also consider eternal life in which we believe».
Today it is impossible to speak about the Pontifical Council Cor Unum without mentioning the encyclical Deus Caritas Est of Pope Benedict XVI. Because it is in this encyclical that the Holy Father explains how Christians should engage in authentic charitable activity and also the special nature of Christian charity: «The ecclesial organization of charity is not a form of social assistance that is casually added to the Church's reality, an initiative that could also be left to others. Instead, it is part of the nature of the Church. As the divine Logos corresponds to the human announcement, the word of faith, so must the Agape, who is God, correspond to the agape of the Church, her charitable activity. This activity, beyond the first very concrete meaning of helping one's neighbour, also essentially means that of communicating to others God's love, which we ourselves have received. It must make the living God in some way visible. In charitable organization, God and Christ must not be foreign words; in reality, they indicate the original source of ecclesial charity. The strength of Caritas depends on the strength of the faith of all the members and collaborators. The sight of a suffering human being touches our heart. But charitable commitment has a meaning that goes well beyond simple philanthropy. It is God himself who moves us interiorly to relieve misery. And so, after all, it is he himself whom we bring to the suffering world. The more consciously and clearly we bring him as a gift, the more effectively will our love change the world and reawaken hope: a hope that goes beyond death. And only in this way is it true hope for man.». (Pope Benedict XVI, address to participants at a Meeting organised by Cor Unum, 23 January 2006) ».
Structure, purpose and goals of the Pontifical Council
A Pontifical Council whose vocation is charity. This could summarise the aim and purpose of Cor Unum. Charity enables us to see in the poor and needy the face of Jesus Christ, who reminds us, "I was hungry, thirsty, lonely, and you helped me (cf. Mt. 25:36).
Through faith in Jesus Christ, who "gave his life for us" (1 Jn 3:16), the history of the Church gives evidence of the springing forth of countless initiatives of Charity. To this very day, Christians around the world care for the poor and the needy in ways ranging from the simple witness of the many faithful to the activity of large Catholic Organizations. This splendid diversity of initiatives and actions of Christian charity is to "bear the mark of a commitment of the whole Church and full faithfulness to the whole evangelical Message" (Paul VI, 1972).
"So we were able to give your ecclesial action for aid . . . the name of COR UNUM, "one heart", a heart that beats in rhythm with the heart of Christ, whose pity for the hungry multitudes reaches them even in their spiritual hunger" (Paul VI, Address to the Plenary Assembly of Cor Unum, 1972).
Then again, here are words of John Paul II: "You are in a certain sense the eye that spots the multiple "poverties". You are the heart that has compassion and wants to do for the other who is in need, what one would wish for oneself. You are the hand that is stretched out fraternally and gives practical help" (John Paul II, Address to the Plenary Assembly of Cor Unum, 1984).
And lastly Benedict XVI: «"The true subject of the various Catholic organizations that carry out a ministry of charity is the Church herself — at all levels, from the parishes, through the particular Churches, to the universal Church. For this reason it was most opportune that my venerable predecessor Paul VI established the Pontifical Council Cor Unum as the agency of the Holy See responsible for orienting and coordinating the organizations and charitable activities promoted by the Catholic Church. [. . .] Today as in the past, the Church as God's family must be a place where help is given and received, and at the same time, a place where people are also prepared to serve those outside her confines who are in need of help." (Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Deus caritas est, 2005, 32)
The Pontifical Council COR UNUM for Human and Christian Development was established by Pope Paul VI with his Letter of Institution Amoris officio, dated 15 July 1971. COR UNUM expresses "the care of the Catholic Church for the needy, thereby encouraging human fellowship and making manifest the charity of Christ" (Apostolic Constitution Pastor bonus, art. 145).
Its objectives are: To assist the Pope and be his instrument for carrying out special initiatives in the field of humanitarian actions when disasters occur, or in the field of integral human promotion; To foster the catechesis of Charity and encourage the faithful to give a concrete witness to evangelical charity; To encourage and coordinate the initiatives of Catholic Organizations through the exchange of information and by promoting fraternal cooperation in favour of integral human development. The Dicastery carries out the following activities.
For the promotion and animation of the catechesis of Charity: preparation and diffusion of the yearly Lenten Message of the Holy Father; promotion and encouragement of theological reflection among Pastors in order to strengthen the Christian roots of Charity; the Encyclical Letter Deus caritas est has a special place in this area. fostering and supporting volunteer service. For the encouragement and coordination of International Catholic Aid Organisations with a special focus on their ties with local Churches: special responsibility for "supervising and guiding the activity of Caritas Internationalis" (cf. Letter of John Paul II During the Last Supper, 4), a Confederation of over 160 charitable agencies, usually the national entities responsible for charitable activity recognized by the Bishops’ Conferences. For the carrying out of the dispositions of the Holy Father to distribute funds — which are the results of the spontaneous generosity of the faithful- for disaster-oriented relief and support of integral human promotion in developing countries.
Cor Unum, is also responsible, for the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel to combat drought and desertification and Populorum Progressio Foundation, at the service of indigenous peoples.
The President, Secretary, Under-secretary, Members and Consultors of the Pontifical Council COR UNUM are appointed by the Holy Father for a period of five years.
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes is President of the Council, Monsignor Karel Kasteel Secretary and Monsignor Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, Under-Secretary. The Council has 38 members, 6 consultors and a permanent staff of 10.
Cor Unum, the Pope's charity arm
Among its institutional competencies, the Dicastery is to endeavor, "whenever the Supreme Pontiff considers that some special activities or initiatives should be undertaken in the charitable sphere, to assist him diligently and be, as it were, his instrument for putting such activities of initiatives speedily into effect." (Pope Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Amoris officio, July 15, 1971).
Pope John Paul II, in the Apostolic Constitution Pastor bonus of June 28, 1988, affirmed Cor Unum's mission "to follow attentively and to promote projects and works of integral care and fraternal assistance with the goal of human progress".
In preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, the Pontifical Council completed two special appeals with the Holy Father's permission: "100 Projects of the Holy Father" and "Panis Caritatis".
On the journey toward conversion and sharing in preparation for the Great Jubilee of 2000, the Pope proclaimed 1999 to be a "Year of Charity". In response to this, Cor Unum turned to the Particular Churches (Dioceses) in the richer countries and asked them to support 100 projects in the Particular Churches of poorer countries according to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. In reality, the number of projects presented and supported exceeded 200, for a total value of around (US) $20,000,000, and included a number of Catholic aid agencies sent to developing countries. One of the most important and enduring effects of the initiative was the pairing of Dioceses, many of which continue to collaborate together.
Lastly the Panis Caritatis initiative aimed at encouraging the Christian community to share their "daily bread" with those in greatest need, making the simple act of eating bread together as a family a moment to think concretely about so many in the world who suffer from hunger. The sum collected reached nearly one billion Italian lire, and went to finance projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (construction of community ovens), Rwanda (reconstruction of homes, replacement of livestock, education of the poorest orphaned children), the Sudan (aid to the population afflicted by hunger), Guinea Bissau (safeguarding health of mothers and children), Uganda (help for Sudanese refugees), and Republic of Congo (carpentry workshops).
Cor Unum and the Deus Caritas Est encyclical
In 2007 the Council continued its activity, started in 2006, to circulate the encyclical Deus caritas est, (DCE), the first ever concerning the Church's charitable activity. The Council highlighted the responsibility of the local bishops in the field of charity work and the necessity of continual all-round formation and authentic faith life for all involved, especially Catholic aid agency workers. This was the goal of various Cor Unum activities, especially through the Council's president, for example special meetings with Bishops' Conferences: in Kyev with the Latin Ukranian Bishops (4-6 December 2006); in Vienna, with the Catholic Bishops of Austria and representatives of Caritas (12-13 March 2007); in Madrid, with the Spanish Bishops' Conference (24 April).
Particularly important was a meeting with Delegates of the V General CELAM Conference (Consejo Episcopal Latino-Americano), in Aparecida (12 May), where the president of Cor Unum, a member of the Papal Entourage, gave an address: “Deus caritas est — a prophetic message”. Special mention must made of a meetings with the Catholic Bishops of Russia and neighbouring countries, on the occasion of a Meeting for Caritas Centres in the Russian Federation and neighbouring countries (Moscow, 18-21 October), carefully prepared by Caritas Russia and the Pontifical Council and presided by the Cor Unum president, accompanied by under-secretary Giampietro Dal Toso. The meeting was an opportunity to see how the Encyclical can inspire and permeate charitable work in those vast territories.
Other important initiatives for the diffusion of the Encyclical included conferences given by the President on various occasions: 17 January in Berlin, during a meeting for priests on the subject: “Deus caritas est — Impulse of the 1st Encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI”.
26 and 27 January, the opening of 'Caritas Christi urget nos Meeting' organised by the Catholic Academy of Dortmud and Schwerte and a conference on “God is Love”.
26-28 February, address: “Paradigmatic changes for humanitarian aid agencies? DCE gives new emphasis”, given at San Antonio University, in Murcia (Spain).
10 March, intervention on DCE New Impulse, given in Nürnberg (Germany).
27 April, the President gave an address at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences on “The Deus caritas est and the Church's charitable activity”.
17 - 19 May 2007, conference “The theological message of the Encyclical Deus caritas est”, at a Seminar promoted jointly by the Theology Faculty of Olomouc University (Czech Republic), the Czech Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Pontifical Council COR UNUM, on the theme "The Church as a community of love at the service of suffering people in Central European countries in transformation". The idea of the seminar was the fruit of mutual assistance and collaboration between the Catholic Bishops of three countries, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, in the field of the Theology of Charity. Participants at the Seminar included representatives of national and diocesan Caritas offices, Mr. Petr Necas, Czech Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, and the president of Renovabis, Rev. P. Demuth.
15 June at Freiburg University (Germany) conference on the theme “Iustitia et caritas — Motto of Cardinal Joseph Höffner in the light of the first Encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI”, on the occasion of a solemn commemoration of the Cardinal, a scholar in social ethics and Archbishop of Cologne.
From 6 - 9 December 2007, in Lourdes: conference on the theme "The Deus caritas est and volunteer work", on the occasion of opening celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the Apparitions of Immaculate Mary. Celebrations in which volunteers played a leading role with 3,500 taking part in an international Meeting on "The Church on mission with volunteers".
The same subjects were debated during various meetings, conferences and visits: Kolping International, in Paderborn (13 October), international conference promoted by Aid to the Church in Need, Castelgandolfo, Rome (14 September), Meeting for Pallottine Fathers in Rome (11 October), and visits to the Council by numerous Bishops' Conferences on ad limina visit to Rome: Benin, Central African Republic, North Africa, Korea, Japan, Kenya, Laos and Cambodia, Mali, Mozambique, Portugal and Dominican Republic.
Again to foster diffusion of the Encyclical, during the annual Meeting of Caritas Regional of North and Latin America, held in Washington from 7 to 9 February, Rev. Don Anthony Jesus Figueiredo, officer of the Pontifical Council, gave an address on the theme "The connection between charity, justice and solidarity in the light of the Deus caritas est”.
Pope Benedict XVI addresses Cor Unum
In the Sala Clementina in the Vatican, on 29 February 2008, Pope Benedict XVI delivered an important address to participants at Cor Unum Plenary Assembly. The Pope reflected on the plenary theme: “Human and spiritual qualities of people involved in the Church's charity activity”. Benedict XVI recalled that the theme touches «an important element in the life of the Church». «We refer to persons who offer an indispensable service in the People of God, diakonia of charity. And precisely charity was the subject of my first Encyclical Deus caritas est.».
The Pope expressed «particular gratitude to those who, in various ways, work in the field of charity, showing with their deeds that the Church makes herself present in a concrete way alongside those who find themselves caught up in different forms of trouble or suffering. For this ecclesial action, it is the Pastors who have the overall and ultimate responsibility with regard to both calling attention to and realizing projects of human development, especially in the case of less fortunate Communities. Let us give thanks to God for the many Christians who give of their time and energy to make available not only material aid, but also support through consolation and hope for those in difficult conditions, nurturing a constant solicitude for the true well-being of the human person. Charitable activity thus occupies a central place in the evangelising mission of the Church. We must not forget that works of charity constitute a privileged meeting place also for those who do not know Christ or know Him only partially. Quite rightly, then, the Pastors and those responsible for the pastoral of charity pay constant attention to those who work in the sphere of diakonia, taking care to form them on both the human and professional, as well as the theological-spiritual and pastoral level.
< p> In this moment, much relevance is given to continuing formation in society as well as the Church, seen in the blossoming of institutions and centres set up to provide useful instruments for acquiring specific technical skills. It is essential, however, for those who work in the Church’s charitable organizations to receive that “formation of the heart,” which I cited in the Encyclical Deus caritas est (n. 31a): intimate and spiritual formation that, from the encounter with Christ, ignites that sensibility of the soul, which alone allows for the deepest knowledge and satisfaction of the human person’s longings and needs. This exactly is what enables the acquisition of the same sentiments of merciful love that God enkindles for each individual. In moments of suffering and pain, this is the approach needed. Those who operate in the multiple forms of the Church’s charitable activity cannot, therefore, confine themselves only to the technical presentation or resolving material problems and difficulties. The help that is offered should never be reduced to a philanthropic gesture, but must be a tangible expression of evangelical love. Those, then, who offer their service in favour of the human person in parish, diocesan and international organizations do so in the name of the Church and are called to make shine in their activity an authentic experience of the Church.In this vital sector, therefore, a valid and effective formation cannot but aim at better qualifying those who are engaged in various charitable activities, so that they are also and above all witnesses of evangelical love. This they are if their mission is not exhausted by being social service workers, but rather heralds of the Gospel of charity. Following in the footsteps of Christ, they are called to be witnesses of the value of life, in all of its expressions, protecting most especially the life of the weak and sick, after the example of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who loved and cared for the dying, since life is not measured by its efficiency but always has value and for everyone. In the second place, these ecclesial workers are called to be witnesses of love by virtue of the fact that we are fully human when we live for the other; no one can die and live for himself; happiness is not found in the solitude of a life closed in on itself, but in the gift of self. Finally, whoever works within the sphere of the Church’s activity, must be witnesses of God, Who is the fullness of love and invites us to love. The source of every deed done by those who work in the Church is God, Creator and Redeemer love. As I wrote in Deus caritas est, we are able to practice love because we have been created in the divine image and likeness in order to “experience love and in this way cause the light of God to enter into the world” (n. 39). This is the invitation I wanted to extend with this Encyclical.
How great the meaning then, that you can draw from your activity! And how precious this is for the Church! I rejoice that, precisely to render the Church an ever-greater witness of the Gospel, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum has promoted this coming June a course of Spiritual Exercises in Guadalajara for the Presidents and Directors of the charitable organizations in the American continent. This shall serve to fully recuperate the human and Christian dimension, which I have just mentioned, and I hope that in the future this initiative can be extended to other regions of the world, too. Dear friends, in thanking you for what you do, I assure you that I will remember you with affection in my prayer, and upon each of you and your work, I impart from my heart a special Apostolic Blessing ».
Interview with Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, President Pontifical Council Cor Unum
Q. Your Eminence how would you describe the Pontifical Council entrusted to you by the Pope? What are its aims and goals?
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes: We call our Council, briefly, the Council for Charity. It operates in various parts of the world to make present the compassion of the Pope. It is fundamental for people in need to know and feel that the Pope is close to them, even materially, ready to meet immediate needs with his assistance. This aspect emerges when I visit on the Pope's behalf areas affected by natural disasters or war. I would say that the existence of this Council emphasises the attention of the Pope and the Holy See for witness of charity which is an integral part of the Church's mission. The credibility of her evangelising mission lies precisely in doing what she announces — or giving signs of it at least. The Church reveals to the world the nature of God by living charity. It is right for the Holy See to have a specific Council dedicated to this lofty mission carried out by countless individuals and institutions all over the world.
Q. Charity is an essential part of the Church's life. What did the publication of the Encyclical Deus Caritas Est, signify for your Pontifical Council?
Cordes: For us the Encyclical Deus Caritas Est was a great gift from God and it has made a determinant mark on our work. From the structural point of view, because it is the very first document in the history of the Church to reflect on the theology of charitable activity. From a point of view of contents because it connects the Church's charitable activity with the central message of Scripture: God is love (1 Jn 4,16). Therefore the root of charity is not the sociological fact of poverty, but instead, the revelation of God as love. This affirmation in our times of diffused philanthropy, must be vivified. In recent years I have worked hard at all levels to help charitable activity rediscover the roots of the faith which constitute its qualifying dimension.
Q. Is there a connection between charity and mission?
Cordes: There exists an indissoluble connection which in practice the Church has always lived. Mission has never failed to care for the needs of man in the material and historical dimension. Today perhaps there is a need to underline once again that charity does not exist without mission: not in order to proselytise, which the Pope in his encyclical Deus Caritas est excludes, but instead to reaffirm that serving the human person is bearing witness to God and to His love for humanity. This aspects deserves deeper analysis: for a long time it was thought that meeting man's material needs was sufficient. But the human person is made of spirit too; humanity's need is also and indeed above all, a need for God. Charitable activity cannot overlook this basic element if it intends to be faithful to humanity, meeting the needs of the whole person. Certainly the body has needs, but we must also consider eternal life in which we believe.
Q. Many priests all over the world are involved in works of charity. But their life must also be "filled with prayer", with "being with the Lord". How is it possible to combine the active and the contemplative life today?
Cordes: What is true for those who receive charitable assistance is even truer for those who offer it, whether priests or not. Not by chance this encyclical, which is relatively concise, dedicates two chapters to prayer. For me an eloquent example is Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and her religious community: prayer is the indispensable source of service to the poor. Because only by being with the Lord do we learn the art of self-emptying, that original purity which enables us to accept others for what they are and not for any personal gain. This observation, which does not question the goodwill of many people who do good in the name of man, is rooted in the experience that forgetting self in order to love others is a fruit of authentic and prolonged ascesis.
Q. You have "worked" during the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, what would you say do these two Pontiffs have most in common?
Cordes: I would say: a passion for Christ and for Him to be known and loved by all men and women. We saw this clearly in John Paul II, in his opening to people, his zeal for visiting the continents, his testimony of redemptive suffering. We live it in this pontificate with a continual reminder of God as the source of life and truth, offering to everyone friendship with Christ, detailed and pertinent analysis of our society today. In fact long years of collaboration led to the development of authentic harmony not lacking in special traces, the fruit of a distinct personality. But the mission of the Pope remains fundamentally the same, even though the person and the times change, and the mission is to “confirm the brothers in the faith” (Lk 22, 32).
Dossier by P.L.R. — Agenzia Fides, 1 January 2009; Editor Luca de Mata
This item 8723 digitally provided courtesy of CatholicCulture.org
