Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly. – Micah 6:8
Inspired by the Gospel- being the helping hand of the universal Church, Caritas reaches out to the poor, the vulnerable, and the excluded regardless of race or religion, to build a world based on justice and fraternal love.
it all started with just one man. From humble beginnings in Germany in 1897, Lorenz Werthmann founded the first Caritas. Until today, Caritas has a rich history of listening respectfully to the suffering of the poor and giving them the tools to transform their lives. The profound moral and spiritual principles of dignity, justice, solidarity, and stewardship still guide Caritas today.
Caritas Malaysia was initiated at the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei (CBCMSB) in January 2020. The 9 archdiocesan and diocesan bishops opted for its introduction into the Malaysian Church, to spearhead the Church’s social mission agenda. Read more
A civilization of love that reflects the Reign of God, where justice, peace, truth, freedom, and solidarity prevail, in which the dignity of the human person made in the image of God is paramount. Where the marginalized, oppressed, and excluded find hope and are empowered to come to the fullness of their humanity as part of a global community.
Caritas Penang is a ministry of the mission concerned under the diocese of Penang. We are accountable to the local communities, Board, and ultimately our Bishop Sebastian Francis. But we are combined as part of the Caritas Malaysia, Caritas Asia, and Caritas Internationalis as body of the Universal Church.
The work ethics and processes at Caritas Penang are guided by the Scripture and the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church which are reflected in our values as part of the body of the Catholic Church.
We strive to enhance and uphold the dignity of the human person at all times. We are guided by what impact our actions have on the dignity of the human person. We will also ask how the dignity of all persons is realised and expressed in social and economic structures.
Where there is an imbalance in the participation of men and women, we are poorer at our work and relationships. Thus, we work with all people regardless of race, sex, religion, or politics.
The intrinsic concern of Caritas Penang is to see the poorest social groups take charge, individually or in social solidarity, in developing their human dignity.
We are guided by Christian Scripture to work for the liberation of the oppressed and an equitable sharing of the gifts of the Earth, helping the marginalised be responsible for their own liberation and development.
We express a firm determination and commitment to the common good. Solidarity binds us together in the common vision of establishing a world where all human beings receive what rightly belongs to them as sons and daughters of God.
We promote and strengthen national, diocesan, and parish Caritas, returning the rightful ownership of projects and development processes to local communities.
We embrace therefore human, spiritual, and economic elements. We strive to develop the whole person and transform unjust social systems.
We are committed to developing processes that prioritize active participation as the foundation of a democratic and inclusive society.
Through our relationships, we aim to strengthen the autonomy and capacity of one another and strengthen the relationship with our own constituency.
Through collaboration with organisations based in local communities, we create bonds of shared values and action that validate a vision of an inclusive and just society.
We believe that the planet and its resources are entrusted to humanity. We seek to act in an environmentally responsible manner as true stewards of creation.
As a member of the Caritas family, the Bishops felt the Malaysian Church could benefit from capacity building, regional networking, professional expertise, and work in solidarity with other Caritas for vulnerable communities in Malaysia. Thus in Nov 2020, Caritas Malaysia was officially launched, followed by the setting up of the Diocesan and Parish Caritas in different dioceses, including diocese of Penang in 2021.
Diocese, parish and local communities play a key role in animating conscientising, and mobilising believers, as well as men and women of good will around them, to respond to the call of the Kingdom. Among various entities and levels of Caritas family, a spirit of co-responsibility must animate the conversation and activities – that all are trying to build together the one mission and one body of Jesus.
Those who serve in Caritas mission must be first and
foremost “true witnesses of Christ” – Pope Benedict
Caritas Malaysia consists of the nine Caritas diocese offices and the Caritas national office, with affiliates from congregations and other Catholic organisations engaged in the field of charity and integral development at a national level.
Caritas is the charitable arm of the Roman Catholic Church. It is to spearhead the church’s social mission, to respond to humanitarian crisis, promote integral human development and advocate on the causes of poverty and violence.
Caritas Penang comes under the jurisdiction of The Titular Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang.
© 2022 Caritas – Diocese of Penang. All Right Reserved.
