Caritas Ticino is a Association inspired by the principles of the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, with a mandate to address the issue of poverty in its historical forms, with the instruments that from time to time it deems most appropriate to deal with it. Its fundamental objective is the promotion of a supportive society, in which individuals, families, and communities can be the actors in this process. This goal has been articulated, in response to emerging needs, manifesting itself in concrete services, projects and information. Caritas Ticino, born in 1942 with a characteristic of autonomy and diocesan belonging, has grown over these 70 years, developing its own strategies in relation to the territory, to the structural changes in society, but above all to the vision dictated by the statutory philosophy that implies an adherence to the ecclesial Magisterium, its actualization in the exercise of the pastoral care of Charity adapted to the needs of the diocese and in the evangelical service to the "Last", in obedience to the Bishop's indications. (See: A Little History) In these pages, in addition to understanding what Caritas Ticino is, we present the activities and services with which Caritas Ticino responds, today, to new poverty, always faithful to its mandate and aware that "man is greater than his need" as Bishop Eugene reminded us ten years ago on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Caritas Ticino. "Whatever should be the nature and sector of its interventions in the social field, Caritas is called, with increasing urgency, to express in society two values specific to Christianity, whose social relevance cannot be measured by purely rational criteria. The first is gratuitousness toward man in need, since the redemption offered to us by Christ was also gratuitous. The second is that of surplus, since surplus is Christ's love toward us. Charity has as its measure not the need of the other, but the richness of God's love. It is indeed limiting to look at man and evaluate him from his need, for man is more than his need". (See: Eugenio Corecco in "Diocese of Lugano and Charity: from history a look to the future" p. 206) In particular (from the statutes art. 3)
Caritas Ticino is committed:
1. To inform and raise public awareness by presenting, through all means of social communication, the evangelical foundations of diakonia, charity and the social dimension of faith. 2. To carry out, in cooperation with different bodies and organizations, studies, research on the different forms of poverty, marginalization and need. 3. To establish and manage a multi-purpose social service to ensure, in collaboration with public and private welfare agencies and particularly with Catholic agencies, moral and material assistance to the needs of Ticino and elsewhere, without distinction, in any form required by need and limited by its own availability. 4. To collaborate in the coordination of Christian-inspired welfare initiatives and works subject to the responsibility of the diocese. 5. To promote voluntary social work, professional, moral and spiritual formation of social and Christian-inspired workers engaged in social services and pastoral care. 6. To contribute in various forms to actions, initiatives and projects in favor of poor people in developing countries. 7. To create and manage all kinds of activities and structures that facilitate the realization of the objectives of Caritas Ticino.