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POPE FRANCIS HAS appointed a temporary administrator to run Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican-based Catholic charity network, after outside experts highlighted management and procedural “deficiencies”.
The surprise move, announced in a Vatican statement, removes the existing leadership of the organisation, a federation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social organisations operating across 200 countries.
It follows a review of the “workplace environment” of Caritas Internationalis by a panel of independent experts commissioned by the Vatican’s dicastery for promoting integral human development (DPIHD).
“No evidence emerged of financial mismanagement or sexual impropriety, but other important themes and areas for urgent attention emerged from the panel’s work,” the DPIHD said in a statement.
“Real deficiencies were noted in management and procedures, seriously prejudicing team-spirit and staff morale.”
DPIHD chief Cardinal Michael Czerny added that in recent years, the needs of those served by Caritas had risen “markedly, and it is imperative that Caritas Internationalis be well prepared to meet these challenges”.
The new temporary administrator is Pier Francesco Pinelli, a former renewable energy executive and Bain consultant trained by the Jesuits.
Among his jobs will be leading preparations for the next general assembly of all of Caritas’ member organisations planned for May 2023, when a president, general secretary and treasurer will be elected.
The DPIHD said there would be “no impact on the functioning of member organisations and the services of charity and solidarity they provide around the world.
“On the contrary, it will serve to strengthen such service,” it said.
In a formal decree, Francis noted Caritas’ role in helping him in his “ministry towards the poorest and most needy”, but said its regulatory framework needed reviewing.
Caritas Internationalis had an income of more than €5 million in 2020, according to its annual report, almost half from membership fees and donations from member organisations, and the rest contributions from external donors.
The Vatican said “financial matters have been well-handled and fundraising goals regularly achieved” but the aim now was to “improve its management norms and procedures”.
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Could they not just have moved them to another parish?
@Fr. Fintan Stack: no. They don’t mind the abuse of children but don’t mess with the money
@Paul Harvey: nothing to do with the money, take a minute to read the article.
Sufficiently vague
Hello! Isn’t this the right way to respond to ‘lessons learned’ (action taken following a review)?
That money was only resting in his account.
@William Ryan: ‘twas his money. He just didn’t want to fill in the forms.
2 of thee most corrupt organisations in the world. These guys and Fifa.
They were in Vegas when those children should have been in Lourdes !!
This article doesn’t explain why Pope Francis removed the entire Caritas Management. Were they inept? Did they refuse help to genuine cases? Were they opposed to changes to their terms of reference? Did the Pope encounter a lack of respect in dealing with them? It’s all opaque.
True. It says nothing about how many were relieved of duties. Maybe they were based in Rome, maybe they were men, maybe they are all a hundred years old & untrained? They could all be related for all we know!
We await his expulsion of the Spiritan / Holy Ghost Fathers. Holding breath…….
Business goals and results… Is the Vatican going private? ;)
That would be an ecumenical matter.
Pope Francis Musk
The name of the rose shall not be known.
have your say