Cardinal Bergoglio says Catholic Charities not just another NGO

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Apr 12, 2004 / 22:00 pm

During the inauguration of a new Catholic Charities center in Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, Archbishop of the Argentinean capital, said Catholic Charities is not just another NGO.

“Catholic Charities is not just another NGO.  It is an extension of the charity of Christ in his meekness, which inspires me to underscore the attitude of the Church.  She follows the same method of Jesus, she bring people together with the same method as Jesus.  No shouting, just meekness and humility,” said the Cardinal.

The Cardinal pointed out that the difference between an employee of Catholic Charities and that of an NGO “is one of passion.”  “NGOs can do much more important or expensive projects than Catholic Charities,” he added, but the Catholic Charities worker “will be known by his style, by the way in which he suffers, the way in which is endures the contradictions of life and his work, by the way in which he welcomes those whom he meets, with tenderness and meekness.”

Lastly, referring to the effectiveness of Catholic Charities, Cardinal Bergoglio said that it is found “in the spirit of meekness of knowing who to suffer as our Lord did.”  “This is the effectiveness; the work of Catholic Charities is marked by the shouldering of people’s problems and limitations.”  Catholic Charities, he said, “does not send people away with a package, with a momentary solution.  Any institution can do that. Catholic Charities is something mystical, something ecclesial.  It is the expression of the love of Jesus.”