Making a World of Difference

y Ken Hackett

This year, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) celebrates its 60th anniversary. Since 1943, we have had the privilege of serving overseas as an expression of concern on behalf of the Catholic community in the United States.

Much has happened since the United States bishops founded War Relief Services--a name that was kept until 1955, when the agency became officially known as Catholic Relief Services--to assist European refugees fleeing World War II. Our work has expanded and changed over the years, and today we work in 90 countries around the world providing assistance to those in need, regardless of race, creed or nationality.

And while people may most immediately associate us with our relief work--delivering assistance to those in need in the aftermath of disasters, whether natural or man-made--a large portion of what we do involves human development. Through programming in agriculture, education, health, HIV/AIDS, small business development for women and peace building, we are helping people overseas to recognize their inherent dignity while helping communities to become self-sufficient.

We have learned a great deal in six decades, and this milestone calls us to reflect as much as to celebrate. Where the early years of the agency were marked by program growth and expansion--essentially increasing our ability to reach those in need around the world--more recent times have caused us to re-examine the world in which we work and serve.

What we learned from the horror of the Rwanda genocide was that our work in relief and development, though carried out effectively and efficiently, was not enough. We challenged ourselves to examine not just the symptoms of crises but their causes, which underlie the continued oppression and poverty that many in the developing world face. We resolved to challenge and change those structures by including a justice-centered focus in all of our programming. Grounded in Catholic social teaching, this approach offers a means for ensuring that we provide more than temporary solutions and get at the roots of problems.

Our success in responding to emergencies like the Ethiopian famine of 1984 or the Kosovo refugee crisis and Hurricane Mitch disaster in the late 1990s remain sources of pride for us as an agency. The concern and generosity of Catholics in the United States never ceases to amaze. We have been able, time and again, to count on the U.S. Catholic population to support our work and to assist those whose lives have been upended by circumstances beyond their control.

At the same time, we struggled to find a way beyond donations and prayers to engage the people we serve in the United States with the people we serve overseas. Programs like Operation Rice Bowl and Food Fast help to create an awareness of the lives of the poor overseas, but we realized we needed to do something more lasting.

In 2000 we gathered staff and partners from around the world to convene our world summit. We came together to take stock of where we were and to chart a course for the future. The resulting vision, "Solidarity will transform the world," provided us with a goal to reach for: a world drawn closer together through the bonds of our common humanity. We are working to create such a world. Through outreach programs and advocacy, we are raising awareness and providing the link between the Catholic community in the United States and brothers and sisters overseas. We believe that this connection will allow for the kinds of sharing and exchange that are essential to bridging the divides of race, religion and geography. If we learned anything from the events of September 11, it is that the need for understanding, respect and relationship is greater now than ever before.

As we begin the new year, celebrating 60 years of service to the world's poor, we invite you to join us. Visit our website (www.catholicrelief.org) to learn more about our work and how you can make a difference in the lives of the poor overseas.

Ken Hackett is Executive Director of Catholic Relief Services.

Contact

Catholic Relief Services
http://www.catholicrelief.org CA, US
Catholic Relief Services - Jennifer Lindsey - Media Relations Director, 410 951-7350

Email

mlg@catholic.org

Keywords

Catholic Relief Services

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