Vatican asserting greater influence as Caritas International weighs new leadership

May 09, 2011

Leaders of Caritas International will meet later this month, for their first general assembly since the Vatican moved to assert more control over the international coalition of Catholic relief agencies.

The assembly will discuss new statutes for Caritas International, and select a new secretary-general for the international organization. The Vatican refused to give its approval for another term for the incumbent leader, Lesley-Anne Knight, thus precipitating a debate on the degree to which the Vatican should control the organization, and the degree to which Caritas International should build a distinctly Catholic identity.

The Catholic News Service reports that the Vatican’s more assertive approach to control over Caritas International reflects a general policy decision in Rome, and Vatican officials are also reviewing their stance in other international organizations, including UN agencies.

 

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Further information:

• At Caritas assembly, Vatican to address 'Catholic identity' issue (CNS)