VATICAN
CITY —
Pope Francis on Tuesday appointed a temporary
administrator to run Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican-based Catholic
charity network, after outside experts highlighted management and procedural
“deficiencies”.
اضافة اعلان
The surprise move, announced in a Vatican statement,
removes the existing leadership of the organization, a federation of 162
Catholic relief, development and social organizations 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 organizations 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 organizations 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
euros in 2020, according to its annual report, almost half from membership fees
and donations.
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