Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, appealed to young people to volunteer for Caritas Manila, the archdiocese’s social action arm.
“We are calling on our volunteers to look for more help and even the older ones to find replacements in service,” said the bishop on the occasion of the organization’s 67th anniversary on September 26.
“We have many more projects and there are still so many goals we have yet to achieve,” he said.
Bishop Pabillo praised the volunteers for their dedication, even in the face of the health crisis, to reach out to those who were affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am very grateful for the help of our volunteers. It is because of these volunteers, who did not only spend time, but also risk their lives that we were able to help the poor,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the benefactors “who believe in the good that Caritas Manila does.”
In the same activity online, the bishop presided over the appointment of about 3,000 new volunteers of Caritas Manila, one of the largest church-based nonprofit organizations in the Philippines.
In his message, Father Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, said the spirit of charity should dominate over fear in times of uncertainties.
“In the face of the pandemic, do not let fear triumph, but the spirit of charity, love, and care for our fellowmen, [as these] should comfort our anxieties and fears brought about by this crisis,” said the priest.
Father Pascual also thanked the donors and benefactors for their “unwavering support” for Caritas Manila to help the poorest of the poor.
He assured that all donations will reach the beneficiaries, especially those in the poorest sectors of Manila.
The 67th anniversary of the organization carries the theme “Thriving in Crisis Through Faith And Charity.”
During the first two weeks of the government-imposed lockdown in April, Caritas Manila was able to raise about US$ 8,000 and distributed more than 30,000 food bags.
In May, through its Project Ugnayan, Caritas Manila provided 2.8 million food aid relief to 1.9 million poor Filipino families.
In 1953, initially called Catholic Charities, Caritas Manila was established by the Archdiocese of Manila.
Caritas, which means charity, has its core programs leaning toward “integral human, spiritual, and socio-economic development of the poor.”
The organization also runs other projects for the poor, including Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program, Restorative Justice Ministry, and other social entrepreneurship programs.
