“As we look back, we reminisce the journey we as Caritas family have sailed over the past 60 years. There has been a lot of sweat and toil that has been invested to see what Caritas India is today. Having completed 60 years of service, Caritas India has evolved and made several breakthroughs that are perfect testimonies of our struggle and perseverance,” said Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely in his message addressed to Tamil Nadu Caritas India partner organisations.

He continued by saying that, fueled by the spirit of Christian values of service and charity, Caritas India began intervening with programmes to meet the needs of the society. The influence of Vatican II, and the Encyclical Populorum Progressio by Pope Paul VI in 1967, prompted Caritas India to accord her objectives of facilitating and promoting Animation and Decentralization. This enhanced the ability to respond to the felt needs of the people. The animation and development initiatives were a restatement of Caritas India’s commitment to the poor and exploited. The collaborative support of the church fraternity of Tamil Nadu, is indeed an encouragement for the Caritas Mission and, more importantly, for our efforts in the state.

Caritas India’s 60th year of existence is being celebrated across India by its partner organisations. In Tamil Nadu, Caritas India’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated at the regional level at Trichy on March 29, 2023. It was a coordinated effort of the Caritas State Office, the Regional Forum (TASSOS), 27 diocesan social service societies, and all the partners in development. The event was held in the newly renovated St.Thomas Community hall of Tiruchirappalli Multipurpose Social Service Society (TMSSS). The event started with the distribution of nutrition kits to 60 cancer patients, followed by a cancer awareness rally. Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Director of Caritas India, hoisted a flag carrying the Caritas Diamond Jubilee logo. The students of Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts greeted the participants with a welcome dance. Special guests inaugurated the event by lighting the kuthuvilakku  (lamp) followed by a formal welcome address by the host, Fr. (Dr.) John Selvaraj, Director of TMSSS.

Most Rev. Dr. Peter Remigius, who served 20 years in Caritas India in the capacities of Director and Chairman, gave the inaugural address, elaborating on the meaning of the word Caritas. He highlighted the work done in the country and in Tamil Nadu. He explained how, when Tamil Nadu faced a crisis situation in 1977, the thought process led to the formation of the Tamil Nadu Social Service Society—Regional Forum, which later on led to the formation of similar fora in 14 regions across India.

In his special address, Fr. (Dr.)  Jolly highlighted the work done by Caritas India in Tamil Nadu and shared his field visit experiences at Madurai and Sivagangai Societies just  before participating in this event. He said that he could witness the foresight of the local actors while visiting the projects supported by Caritas India. The mangrove forest development initiated in 2006 is now yielding good results, serving as a natural shield and contributing to the livelihood enhancement of the local community, thus enhancing the local economy. The interaction with empowered women groups, their innovative programmes, and the works of the diocesan social service societies are very impressive and are standing witness for the people’s church, according to the doctorate in Catholic social teachings.

Most Rev.Dr.Yvon Ambroise, Bishop Emeritus of Tuticorin Diocese, who served as Director of Caritas India for 12 years, delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the importance of animating the people’s collectives, the spirituality of social work, and the need to work in solidarity to counteract violence in society that exists in different dimensions. ‘Empowerment is key to integral human development, stressed the Father of Animation.

Rev.Dr.M.C. Rajan, legal expert in human rights, delivered the special address on upholding constitutional values for equitable development, explained the situation of past and present India and Ambedkar’s preface to the Constitution on freedom, equality, and fraternity, and compared our position to the teachings and values taught by Jesus. He invited the audience to discuss and ensure justice to all in social, economic and Political fields and to ensure India remains a secular, democratic, and republican country. He said that almost 50 crore Indians suffer poverty, rejection, and subjugation, and that these evils in the society are disrespectful to the constitution.

In this context, the selfless service of Caritas has helped millions of people come out of poverty and restore their human dignity. Caritas’ dedicated stakeholders have helped the victims of untold sufferings find new life. “Since the Constitution and guaranteed rights have been severely strained in the recent past, we need to uphold the constitutional spirit to ensure equitable development for all our marginalised communities,” said Dr. Rajan.

The director of TASOSS, Fr. Albert Thambidurai, spoke on the contribution made by Caritas over the years through various development programmes with individual, cluster, and movement approaches in Tamil Nadu. He also highlighted the capacity building initiatives and congratulated them. He was appreciative of the collaborative efforts between Caritas and TASOSS in strengthening the volunteer base in Tamil Nadu.

Dr. John Arokiaraj, Thematic lead in Tamil Nadu, who is spearheading the development and humanitarian work in the region for more than three decades, gave a gist of the welfare, emergency response, and development work done by Caritas India. He explained how 27 DSSS and TASOSS are working on a cancer care campaign named Ezhuvom Iyakkam using a movement approach. Over the years, Caritas India’s project financial support of Rs. 3,94,41,17,529/- has brought positive changes to the lives of marginalised people in Tamil Nadu.

The journey over 60 years has seen various approaches and programmes like MCH Care, Economic Development and Micro Credit, Institutional Support, Empowerment through Animation, Disaster Risk Reduction, Cluster Programmes (ECO DRR, Land and Water Management, Health and Well Being), Capacity Building, Resource Mobilisation, Lenten Campaign, and Resource Team Formation. Through continued accompaniment, a well trained resource team from among the partner staff is formed and strengthened for sustaining the programmes.

Caritas India, in collaboration with the Regional Network and diocesan partners of Tamil Nadu, and in association with religious institutions and congregations, hospital networks, and social work institutions, reached out to 14,13,940 people during the COVID 2nd wave response with a support of Rs. 6,54,10,304/-. Caritas India, together with the Church congregations of Tamil Nadu and the dioceses, joined hands with the hospitals, to strengthen their infrastructure. In some of the locations, the churches opened their institutions to set up the treatment centres, easing the burden on the hospitals. The participants were enthralled to listen to this message from Fr. (Dr.) Paul that highlighted the COVID response.

Ms. Stella Rani, Governing Body Member of Caritas India, Ms. Prema, a Volunteer of Caritas India in Trichy, Mr. Arockiaraj, Project Officer, Sivagangai MSSS, and Fr. Amalan, Director, Tuticorin MSSS, shared their associations with Caritas and gave felicitation messages. The senior staff members were honoured with a shawl and certificate for their excelling work in human empowerment missions. Mr.Patrick of Vellore SSS, who has been associated with Caritas India for the last five decades through VSSS, was accorded a special honour. The whole programme was anchored by Fr.Victor Alex, Director of Thanjavur MSSS, and Fr. Nepolean, Director of Dindigul MSSS. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Fr. Jesudass, Director of Dharmapuri SSS.