Caritas Ticino

Caritas Ticino is an association inspired by the principles of Catholic social teaching, with a mandate to tackle poverty in all its forms using whatever means it deems most appropriate at any given time. Its fundamental objective is to promote a society based on solidarity, in which individuals, families, and communities can be the actors in this process. This objective has been articulated in response to emerging needs, manifesting itself in concrete services, projects, and information. Caritas Ticino, founded in 1942 with a characteristic of autonomy and diocesan affiliation, has grown over the course of these 70 years, developing its own strategies in relation to the territory, structural changes in society, but above all to the vision dictated by its statutory philosophy, which implies adherence to the Magisterium of the Church, its implementationin the exercise of the pastoral ministry of charity adapted to the needs of the diocese, and in evangelical service to the "least among us," in obedience to the bishop's instructions. (see: A Little 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 "man is greater than his need," as Bishop Eugenio reminded us ten years ago on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Caritas Ticino. "Whatever the nature and sector of its social interventions, Caritas is called, with ever greater urgency, to express two specific values of Christianity in society, whose social relevance cannot be measured by purely rational criteria. The first is gratuitousness towards people in difficulty, since the redemption offered to us by Christ was also gratuitous. The second is that of excess, because Christ's love for us is excessive. Charity is not measured by the needs of others, but by the richness of God's love. It is indeed limiting to look at people and evaluate them based on their needs, because people are more than their needs."(see: Eugenio Corecco in "Diocese of Lugano and Charity: a look at the future from history" p. 206) In particular (from the statutes, art. 3)
Caritas Ticino is committed to:
1. Inform and raise public awareness by presenting, through all means of social communication, the evangelical foundations of diakonia, charity, and the social dimension of faith. 2. Carry out, in collaboration with various institutions and organizations, studies and research on the different forms of poverty, marginalization, and need. 3. Establish and manage a multi-purpose social service to ensure, in collaboration with public and private welfare agencies, and particularly with Catholic agencies, moral and material assistance to the needs of Ticino and elsewhere, without distinction, in whatever form is required by necessity and within the limits of its availability. 4. Collaborate in the coordination of Christian-inspired welfare initiatives and works under the responsibility of the diocese. 5. To promote social volunteering and the professional, moral, and spiritual training of Christian-inspired social workers engaged in social services and pastoral care. 6. To contribute in various ways to actions, initiatives, and projects in favor of poor populations in developing countries. 7. To create and manage all types of activities and structures that facilitate the achievement of Caritas Ticino's objectives.