An archdiocese in the central Philippines has established “Parish Caritas” in every parish in the aftermath of the destruction brought about by super typhoon “Odette (Rai)” last month.
On January 13, Cebu Caritas, Inc. and the Good Governance Team held a meeting with the Episcopal Vicar, Vicars Forane and District Service Priests In-charge, and Parish Priests of Districts 4 to 6 to give a briefing on the establishment of Parish Caritas in every parish of the Archdiocese of Cebu.
Parish Caritas serves as the service commission of every parish that caters to the concerns of the poor in terms of the tripod programs on humanitarian, developmental, justice, and peace.
Parish Caritas is formed to render better service to the affected communities as the devastation is so huge that it needs a great deal of human and material resources, said Ann Bernadette Cabigon, finance director of Cebu Caritas, the archdiocesan social service wing.
According to the plan, as many as 171 parishes and shrines in the Archdiocese are to function in coordination with Cebu Caritas and other ministries.
On January 10, Sacred Heart Parish (Jesuits) Caritas released 50 sacks of rice (50kg) and grocery packets for the Archdiocesan Ministry on persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“Our ministry of Parish Caritas also extends to our PWD’s who are affected by the typhoon Odette,” said a Caritas official.
On January 9, the Archdiocese of Cebu together with Cebu Caritas, Inc. and Caritas Philippines held a coordination meeting with the local and national non-government organizations in Cebu for the ongoing emergency response to typhoon-Odette affected communities.
Each organization shared its current actions are taken and plans of action in view of relief, recovery, and rehabilitation to communities greatly affected by the typhoon.
Along with the different NGOs present in the meeting were Archbishop Jose S. Palma, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo (national director, Caritas Philippines), Caritas Philippines team, Father Alex K. Cola, Jr., and Cebu Caritas Team.
The Non-Government Organizations in attendance were World Vision, UN-World Food Programme, FARDEC, Inc., SVD-PHS Task Force, RAFI, MSC Mission Office, Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, Cebu International School, SWU-PHINMA, Habitat For Humanity Phils., Bradford Church, BCERT/Bike Scouts, SOLAR Fire Rescue, Pagtambayayong Foundation, Movement for Transformative Politics, Community Empowerment Resource Network, Inc., Sto. Niño de Cebu Agustinian Social Development Foundation, Inc. Representatives from the Office of the Governor and Philippine National Police were also present in the meeting.
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