Caritas India stresses on human dignity of poor

Kochi – Caritas India, the relief and development wing of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) that promotes integral development through its 149 diocesan structures and other registered bodies, in its recently concluded three–day national assembly held at Kochi, Kerala, has stressed that love, brotherhood, social justice and equality are the essential ingredients for all kinds of humanitarian work and social services in the country.

The national assembly, that took place for the first time in Kerala and concluded on February 4, had a four–fold agenda including promotion of human dignity among the Adivasi, Dalit and other marginalized sections of society, ensuring social equality and protection and conservation of natural resources.

Eminent jurist and former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India, Dr. V.R. Krishna Iyer inaugurated the concluding valedictory function at Ashir Bhaban. Others who attended the programme included Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhi of Thrissur and Kerala’s former minister of fisheries and excise, Kerala, K.V. Thomas.

In his valedictory address, (retd.) Justice Dr. Iyer who lauded the wide–ranging services of Caritas India across the country especially in the wake of the tsunami disaster said that equitable social work is a must for humanitarian services.

“We are seeing in this world people who are fighting in the name of religion and political power. But all humans are the same and this basic idea has to be in everyone’s mind. This is also essential to see God in human beings,” (retd.) Justice Dr. Iyer said.

Justice Dr. Iyer (retd.), who is well known in India and internationally for his upright stand on justice related issues, urged Caritas India officials to further cement love and brotherhood through their self–less and dedicated social and humanitarian work.

Earlier inaugurating the national assembly, CBCI President Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo said that assistance from Caritas International functioning in 198 countries spread across the world have been pouring in to help the tsunami–affected in India and Caritas India has proposed to spend Rs 60 crore for the tsunami–affected people of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Caritas India has supported a total of 782 projects in India involving an outlay of Rs 54.15 crore during 2003–04, through its 12 regional offices spread over the country, the cardinal said.