Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells, the Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, called on all Caritas organizations across Asia to “continue to be a powerful force for good” amid the global suffering.
The prelate made the appeal to some 100 social action workers from 25 Caritas organizations during the Caritas Asia Regional Conference in Bangkok on June 11.
In his homily during the opening mass of the conference, he said that social action workers of the Catholic Church “are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the world.”
He pointed out the urgency of the social and environmental issues facing the world, saying, “The cries of the poor and the groans of the Earth are not distant echoes, but urgent pleas that demand a response.”
“Pollution scars its beauty, climate change disrupts its balance, and ecosystems teeter on the brink of collapse.” He said that the poorest, often overlooked, are disproportionately affected, and “their voices pierce the veil of indifference.”
Addressing the challenges faced by Caritas, such as limited resources and personnel, Archbishop Wells said, “We know well that our challenges today are great.”
However, he reassured the Caritas representatives that “our God is greater than any obstacle we may face.”
He framed the regional conference as a pivotal “call to action,” urging participants to go beyond mere discussions.
“Let our actions be that light… Let us share best practices, strategize innovative solutions, and empower local communities to become agents of change in their own right,” he said.
The prelate reiterated the transformative potential of Christ’s love, urging Caritas to remain a beacon of hope and a testament to this love.
“May our actions be a testament to the transformative power of Christ’s love,” he said.
