CARITAS EUROPA Original: French CARITAS’ MISSION BISHOPS' SYNOD Second special assembly for Europe ROME, October 1999

When the Berlin Wall collapsed in 1989,there were only 20 or so European Caritases. Today there are 49 Caritases at work in 45 different countries, from Portugal to Russia and from Finland to Turkey. Just as European countries and Churches differ, so do the Caritases by their context, priorities, working methods and organization. They are however united in their determination to show charity and give Europe a soul, thus putting this spirit at the service of the world. In our region with its great variety of people, the Caritases play a role of agents of unity through their commitment to creative charity, solidarity, justice and fraternity with their fellow man, whether near or far. The Central and Eastern European Caritases are now involved just like the others in all areas of social action and healthcare, with the aim of effectively promoting people and communities beyond the sporadic and sometimes necessary distribution of bread, medicine or blankets. One of the orientations of the strategic plan of Caritas Europa, which coordinates and represents the European Caritases, involves strengthening political influence through lobbying work with the European institutions. The particular areas concerned are social issues and migration, and also development cooperation with countries in the South, in connection with Caritas Internationalis. At European level, this work continues to be carried out in cooperation with the Council of European Bishops' Conferences and with the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community, in the same way that a national Caritas works in consultation with its bishops. The role of exercising charity, as carried out by Caritas among others, helps in many areas to construct the Church as defined by the Second Vatican Council: • The place of lay people, particularly women, in a Caritas organisation, and the responsibilities exercised there, show their place in the life of the Church. • Cooperation between a Caritas organisations and other Churches, whether Protestant or Orthodox, is a demonstration of concrete ecumenism, which is working towards Christian unity. • Cooperation between a Caritas organization and society with all its institutions shows the place of the Church in a democratic society, one which is declaring its determination to wipe out poverty and thus shows a Church which is at the service of the human family. • The mission entrusted to a Caritas organisation by its Church shows the determination of the latter to create a real and dignified place for the poor in its centre and to be a Church of the poor. For very many people, Caritas is often the only contact with the Church. This is true for the poor, who are both beneficiaries and actors with Caritas. This is also true for paid and volunteer workers, and for many members of the general public. The door of the Church is too difficult for some people to open. Caritas can enable them to enter by the window and to be given their full place. The mission of Caritas is described according to several different modes, in connection with its fundamental ecclesial nature: • In a world ruled by the media, the social role of the Church is enhanced and gives it a certain visibility which is positively acknowledged in modernl European societies. • The Church is not merely another group worthy of respect in a democratic society. In theological terms, it brings together those who walk at Christ's side and who like him, give their life to the service of their fellow men. • The proposition of faith also involves bearing witness through charity, solidarity and the promotion of justice in society, and the determination to transform the unjust structures of that society. • Confronted with the effacement of Christ from the major areas of suffering today, the Christians who bear witness through their acts are the face of God. An anonymous Rhenish mystic in the XIVth century wrote: "Christ has no hands; he has only our hands to do his work today". Caritas Europa would like to express two wishes for the Bishops' Synod: • Due to the gravity of the situation in many countries in the South and particularly in Africa, the Synod could show the solidarity of the universal Church's commitment towards the people of this continent. They are seriously affected by natural or political dramas, or by poverty and migration, while the great potential for development is left untapped. • Due to the serious injustice affecting the poor in European societies, for example the effects of widespread unemployment, the situation of single women with children or the situation of migrants, the Synod could emphasize the commitment of the European Churches to transforming the unjust structures of these societies. Denis Viénot President of Caritas Europa