Your Excellency, Your Grace, My Lord Bishops, Rev. Fr. National Director, Rev. Fathers, Rev. Brothers, Rev. Sisters, Most Venerable Members of the Maha Sanga, other Religious Dignatories, Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Madam Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, Honourable Ministers, Honourable Members of Parliament, distinguish Guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC from its very inception has emerged as a credible and recognized organization in the country which has a wide reach and presence. It works with all ethnic communities throughout the Island. Over the years, it has grown, particularly in the spheres of partnership, programme focus as well as capacity development.
We all can be proud of these 40 years committed service and achievement . When I look at the growth of SEDEC I am reminded of the parable of the mustard seed in the Gospel, where a very small mustard seed grows into a big tree where the birds of the air take shelter and refuge.
The vision of His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray of the revered memory was to respond to the social needs and help the local communities to become stronger and stronger so as to improve their living standards which will help them to live with honour and dignity. The mission was entrusted to Rev.Fr. Joe Fernando. Fr. Joe took up this challenge to strengthen the foundation laid by the late Cardinal and continue the long journey. Today we are one of the recognized, reputed networks with 13 Diocesan Centres in Sri Lanka and affiliated to the global Caritas network.
Later with developments, SEDEC was mandated to work as the Social Arm of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. In other words the social mission or the Social Apostolate of the Church is exercised through Caritas Sri Lanka and the Caritas Diocesan Centres. This is the mission of the Catholic Church. Therefore Caritas is not a NGO. This mission is based on the teachings and the charter of Christianity which is the sermon of Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ on the Mountain.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled
Blessed are the peace makers for they will be called the children of God.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
During the last 40 years, Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC has gained tremendous experience and encountered lots of challenges and even threats at different times. But the strong spirit of commitment and the belief in the word of God has strengthened us in our journey in what we are doing for the people of Sri Lanka.
When we reflect on the long journey of Caritas in Sri Lanka, it has been able to integrate its mission with the changing realities of the country, decade after decade, while responding to the natural disasters and civil war. Thousands of internally displaced persons were looked after by Caritas and provided food, clothing and shelter. In the course of its growth, the direction of Caritas evolved towards integral human development. This process will liberate the marginalized and oppressed community from the level of dependency to inter-dependency and later to reach the status of independency. A number of small groups and thousands of village level members are the visible indicators to give evidence to this process. A small number of them are with us today in this auditorium from all the districts of Sri Lanka, to be in solidarity, beyond the realms of ethnicity and religion.
As most of you know, Caritas has a very strong and wide network, seeping down to the Parish level. The Parish groups in most of the dioceses are the living cells of the network. The role of Caritas at the National, Diocesan and District levels differ according to the ground situation reality and need. The role played by Caritas such as facilitation, coordination and accompaniment has been enriching to the community empowering groups to lead a more fulfilling life.
Caritas can be very proud of many significant achievements to its credit, especially during the post tsunami period. It was able to work continually with thousands of people in the North and in the South, for the welfare of Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims. This has made the image of Caritas become very visible. Today these communities are a living witness to the rich concept of “Solidarity”. The deeper meaning and significance of this word “solidarity” has been very much realized and experienced by all of us.
Caritas Sri Lanka the Social Arm of the Catholic Church always maintains a good relationship with the Civil Authorities and Political Party Leaders. In fact we had met the Head of the State, specially to discuss important issues related to the needs of the displaced persons, human right violations, environment and peace building. We also get the good support from the respective District Government Agents in the implementation of our programmes to reach the objectives. The meetings we have had with the Cabinet Ministers, Leaders of the different Political Parties, Inter-religious Leaders and business community representatives were the good entry points to develop a good relationship and wider understanding.
Future Strategic directions of Caritas Sri Lanka
The post tsunami scenario has led Caritas Sri Lanka to reflect deeply on the experience gained from the tsunami operation and to a better understanding of the changing political scenario in the country. The inputs provided by the partner organizations from around the world challenged us to move beyond the present status, and to build sustained relations with our partners to a shared vision and ownership of strategies and programmes.
Thus, Caritas Sri Lanka set about the task of reviewing its organizational development process in order to realize the above mentioned reflection.
In order to realize a shared vision and ownership and also to achieve this in a participatory manner with the different dioceses, different stages of reflection and dialogue were introduced. This approach enabled us to incorporate the desires and expectations of the grassroot communities who are our target groups. Further, as a learning and growing organization, we have reflected over the present strategies of Caritas Sri Lanka with the objective of accomplishing our vision and mission, efficiently and effectively. As a result of this, we initiated the reflection on the organizational development process. The future strategic plan was the outcome of this reflection.
Caritas Sri Lanka at this stage is glad to present to you the strategic plan for its future.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY - 1
Enhancing integral Human Development through Community Empowerment.
STRATEGIC GOAL
Poor and marginalized communities will have restored their human dignity by having improved socio-economic and spiritual status, and access and control over resources and decision making.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY - 2
Promoting Social Justice and Building Sustainable Peace
STRATEGIC GOAL
Conducive atmosphere of a just and violence free society will have been created where people will be living in peace and harmony by respecting the diverse nature of different ethnic and religious groups and their cultures.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3
Community Based Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response
STRATEGIC GOAL 1
Adverse impact in terms of loss of human life and damage to properties and environment will have been reduced.
STRATEGIC GOAL 2
Emergencies are responded efficiently and effectively
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4
Organizational / Institutional Strengthening
STRATEGIC GOAL
Caritas Sri Lanka will have become an organization which is constantly learning and reflecting to be efficient and effective and is accountable and transparent to all donors.
Our Thanks:
I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Khilesh and Mr. Aloysius John for their facilitating role throughout this process to develop this Strategic Plan and I remember with gratitude the Partners who supported us on this mission.
With gratitude I remember all the Past Bishops Chairmen and Vice Chairmen for their guidance and advice throughout our journey. The involvement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka in the mission of Caritas Sri Lanka is highly commendable. It is also important to mention here the founder Director Fr. Joe Fernando, who is with us here today. We the Church in Sri Lanka are proud and admire his commitment and the initiative he took to set up this organization 40 years ago.
For the last 40 years members of the Caritas Internationalis network have been supporting us not only financially, but also with their advice, and accompaniment. We appreciate the support of Caritas Internationalis and all the members of the network.
I sincerely thank all the past National Directors and Diocesan Directors for their contribution towards the growth and development of Caritas Sri Lanka -SEDEC. You are like parents and guardians for the child whose name is Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC.
It is my duty also to appreciate the committed services rendered by all the staff members of Caritas network in Sr Lanka.
May the Lord who has entrusted His mission to the Church bless abundantly all those who are involved in one way or the other to serve the poor and the afflicted, who live amidst joys and sorrows, anxieties and afflictions but yet are ready to journey together for a just society in the future.
Thank you.
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Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC, the social arm of the Catholic Church and the leading Church based humanitarian organization in Sri Lanka, celebrates 40 years in November, 2008. The theme to herald the 40th Anniversary is “Journeying together for a Just Society.”
SEDEC, as it was initially known,was founded in 1968 by a visionary priest, Father Joe Fernando and under the guidance of the late Cardinal His Eminence Thomas Cooray OMI, whose jurisdiction covered the entire Island. The acronym SEDEC stands for Social and Economic Development Centre and is a variant of the Hebrew word SEDEQ, meaning justice and righteousness.
At a later stage SEDEC got affiliated to Caritas Internationalis and is internationally recognized as Caritas Sri Lanka. Caritas Internationalis, is a Confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations present in 200 countries and territories. The Latin Word ‘Caritas’ means charity or universal love. Caritas is one of the globally wide spread organisation in the world.
Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC as it is now known, is the National Secretariat of the Catholic National Commission for Justice Peace and Human Development of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and is incorporated by Act of Parliament, No. 17 of 1983.
From an organization that started with a futuristic vision and the determination of one Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr Joe Fernando, in a little room with a staff of just three, today, Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC has become a organization which is globally recognized and accepted with a network of Diocesan Centres spread island-wide. Since it has four decades of experience working with communities today, it is able to support thousands of poor and marginalized families and especially those affected by man made and natural disasters are supported irrespective of caste, creed, gender and ethnicity,.
Caritas has provided relief and rehabilitation, rebuilt homes, provided sustainable livelihoods and long term psychosocial support to ensure people are empowered to live secured and dignified lives in society. It has also spearheaded the innovative National Animation Programme, supported those whose human rights have been denied, highlighted the plight of women migrant workers and campaigned for the rights of children. Caritas also strives to create an environment for peaceful co-existence among all communities and one of the guiding principles at Caritas Sri Lanka is the, “Do no harm principle.”
For the future, main areas of concern of Caritas Sri Lanka, would be to promote interfaith dialogue, and network with other organisations. Human resource management, integration of programmes and introduction of a new sector to cater to the needs of the fisheries and plantation sector, will also be top priority areas in the programme aspect, for Caritas Sri Lanka, in the years to come. We are also already in the process of developing an organisational development plan for the next five years.
The Founder Fathers Caritas Sri Lanka and those who guided Caritas Sri Lanka have handed so much that Caritas could be proud of and emulate. May this legacy continue to be with Caritas and inspire them to be in solidarity with all people wherever Caritas is and whatever Caritas does irrespective of caste, creed or nationality. Caritas Sri Lanka need to be conscious and mindful at this juncture as Caritas Sri Lanka, to continue God’s mission as Caritas walk in , “Journey together for a Just Society.”
At the Proclamation ceremony of the 40th Anniversary which was held in November last year, the present Chairman of the Catholic National Commission for Justice, Peace and Human Development, Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera rightfully stated, “We have grown over the years, gained many Partners and created an image of our own in the globe and in the Island. In the coming year, we should reflect, strategize our approaches and commit ourselves to move forward to achieve a future where there is peace, freedom and justice for all.” |
