Caritas Indonesia celebrates 18 years with renewed commitment to the needy

By Mathias Hariyadi, LiCAS News

The event included a mass attended by Indonesian bishops, potential donors and representatives of groups that have benefited from the agency's aid.

Known for delivering emergency aid packages, Caritas Indonesia has played a vital role in directing funds from local and international donors to those in need through a variety of programs.

Bishop Anton B. Subianto, OSC, of ​​Bandung, president of KWI, highlighted the agency's role during the celebration. “Today, alongside several bishops, we give thanks to the Lord for Karina KWI, our humanitarian agency, which embodies the spirit of compassion of the Catholic Church in Indonesia and abroad,” he said. declared.

“Caritas Indonesia marks its 18th anniversary with a mass attended by Bishop Anton B. Subianto OSC of Bandung, other clergy and donors, reinforcing their commitment to the ‘Church of the Poor’ and serving those in need. Photo by Budi Handoyo

Archbishop Subianto praised the unique motivation of Catholic donors, noting that their contributions are “motivated by faith and Christian values, which we believe enrich our future lives with virtues.”

He also highlighted that Karina KWI's humanitarian efforts went beyond Indonesia, referring to recent aid initiatives in Turkey and Bangladesh after severe earthquakes.

Bishop AM Sutrisnaatmaka, MSF, of Palangka Raya, recognized the significant charitable contributions. “Our donors respond quickly to disasters, reflecting the founding spirit of Caritas Indonesia,” he noted.

To improve transparency and accountability, many Catholic professionals have affiliated with Karina KWI.

Ms. Fransiska Mok, a renowned banker, contributed greatly to the credibility of the agency. “We strictly adhere to audit protocols, ensuring everything is managed impeccably,” she said.

“Caritas Indonesia marks its 18th anniversary with a mass attended by Bishop Anton B. Subianto OSC of Bandung, other clergy and donors, reinforcing their commitment to the ‘Church of the Poor’ and serving those in need. Photo by Budi Handoyo

MHY Susmanto, former head of Bank Indonesia, supported the organization's efforts to increase its visibility. “This is an opportune time for Caritas Indonesia to present itself as a vital humanitarian arm of the Church,” he said.

Ms. Rina Bambang highlighted the collaborative nature of their mission. “We rely on the active participation of our congregation to implement our mission of compassion,” she said.

Fr Freddy Taruk, executive director of Caritas Indonesia, said the agency is part of Caritas Internationalis, which operates in 162 countries. “As a body of the Church, we are committed to responding to humanitarian needs globally,” he said.

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