“Deficiencies in management”, Pope Francis commissioner of Caritas Internationalis

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has commissioned Caritas Internationalis, the body that coordinates 162 charitable associations around the world, to define a “revision of the current regulatory framework”, “improve” the mission at the service of the poorest and therefore “update” the statutes and regulations “for their greater functionality and effectiveness» in view of the next General Assembly, in May next year. The announcement came during the plenary meeting held on Tuesday at Villa Aurelia, a surprise for many delegates, even if the premises for a change were all in the words of good wishes for the 70th birthday that Francis himself had addressed just under a year ago, at the Angelus on 12 December 2021: «And you, dear friends of Caritas Internationalis, continue your work of streamlining the organization, so that the money does not go to the organization but to the poor. Streamline this organization well.

The Pope’s decree brought down all the leaders. This was announced by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle himself, until now president of Caritas Internationalis, one of the most authoritative cardinals of the Church, a key figure in the dialogue with China (he is a Filipino with a Chinese mother), considered among the eligible candidates in a forthcoming conclave. Tagle read the decree explaining that it is the result of “a careful and independent study”, to the point of repeating three times: “I would like to assure you that it is not, it is not, it is not about sexual harassment or abuse. And it’s not about mismanagement of money. The Decree clearly indicates its intent”. The Pope’s decision came after an investigation promoted by the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, which explains in a note: “The work carried out did not reveal any evidence of financial mismanagement or inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature, but at the same time Issues and areas requiring urgent attention have been highlighted. St
Were identified shortcomings relating to management procedures with negative effects also on team spirit and staff morale». It is a question of intervening on the “working well-being within the structure” and on the “alignment with the Catholic values ​​of human dignity and respect for every person”.

So Francesco appointed as commissioner Pier Francesco Pinelli, a professional “trained in Ignatian spirituality”, former consultant in many managerial and financial sectors of Caritas, who will be assisted by Maria Amparo Alonso Escobar, current head of promotion campaigns, and “supported” by the Jesuit Manuel Morujão “for the personal and spiritual accompaniment of the employees”. It was Pinelli himself, “assisted by a team of psychologists”, who chaired the “independent commission” which conducted the investigation. The commissioner explained that he wanted to “start processes of reconciliation and improvement together with all the people of Caritas Internationalis”: it is a question of “a check-point to improve what already exists” and “build a climate of trust and collaboration”. In the preparation of the next assembly, moreover, the commissioner will be assisted by Cardinal Tagle himself, “who will be responsible in particular for taking care of relations with the local Churches and with the organizations”.