Caritas Ticino

Caritas Ticino is an Association inspired by the principles of the social doctrine of the Catholic Church , with the mandate to address the issue of poverty in its historical forms, with the tools it deems most appropriate from time to time to address it. Its fundamental objective is the promotion of a solidarity society , in which individuals, families, communities can be the actors of this process. This objective was articulated, in response to emerging needs, manifesting itself in concrete services, projects and information. Caritas Ticino, born in 1942 with a characteristic of autonomy and diocesan belonging, has grown over the course of these 70 years, developing its own strategies in relation to the territory, to the structural changes of society, but above all to the vision dictated by the statutory philosophy that implies a adhesion to the ecclesial Magisterium, its actualization in the exercise of the pastoral care of Charity adequate to the needs of the diocese and in the evangelical service to the 'Last', in obedience to the Bishop's indications. (see: A bit of History) In these pages, in addition to understanding what Caritas Ticino is, we present the activities and services with which Caritas Ticino responds today to new forms of poverty, always faithful to its mandate and aware that 'the'as Bishop Eugenio reminded us ten years ago on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Caritas Ticino.' Whatever the nature and sector of its interventions in the social field might be, Caritas is called, with ever greater urgency, to express two specific values ​​of Christianity, whose social relevance cannot be measured with purely rational criteria. The first is gratuitousness towards the man in difficulty, since the redemption offered to us by Christ was also free. The second is that of excess, since excess is Christ's love for us. Charity does not measure the need of the other, but the richness of God's love . It is in fact limiting to look at man and evaluate him starting from his need, since the. (see: Eugenio Corecco in 'Diocese of Lugano and Charity: a look at the future from history' page 206) In particular (from the statutes art. 3)

Caritas Ticino undertakes: 1. To inform and sensitize public opinion by presenting, by any means of social communication, the evangelical foundations of diakonia, charity and the social dimension of faith. 2. Carry out, in collaboration with different bodies and organizations, studies, research on the different forms of poverty, marginalization and need. 3. Establish and manage a multipurpose social service to ensure, in collaboration with public and private welfare bodies and particularly with Catholic bodies, moral and material assistance to the needs of Ticino and also elsewhere, without distinction, in any form required by necessity and limited to one's own availability. 4. Collaborate in the coordination of initiatives and charitable works of Christian inspiration subject to the responsibility of the diocese. 5. Promote social volunteering, professional, moral and spiritual training of social and Christian-inspired workers engaged in social services and pastoral care. 6. Contribute in different ways to actions, initiatives and projects in favor of the poor populations of developing countries. 7. Create and manage all types of activities and structures that facilitate the realization of the objectives of Caritas Ticino.