BAJO (LiCAS News): Catholic humanitarian leaders from across the world gathered in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, in the third week of May to reaffirm the Church’s mission of accompanying vulnerable communities and responding to growing ecological and social challenges during celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Caritas Internationalis.
The gathering on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara Province also marked the 20th anniversary of Caritas Indonesia.
Among those in attendance were Tarcisio Isao Cardinal Kikuchi, president of Caritas Internationalis and archbishop of Tokyo; Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, president of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference; Bishop Maksimus Regus of Labuan Bajo; and delegates from Caritas networks across Asia and other regions.
Member of the organising committee, Antonius Eko Sugianto, said the conference sought to strengthen humanitarian solidarity and care for “Our Common Home.”
A Thanksgiving Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit brought together bishops from member countries of Caritas Internationalis, dioceses across Indonesia, and representatives of Caritas Asia and the organisation’s Representative Council, or RepCo, the confederation’s principal governing body.
Our mission is to help build a just world that reflects the Kingdom of God, where all people experience love, compassion, and a life of dignity
Tarcisio Isao Cardinal Kikuchi
In his homily, Cardinal Kikuchi reflected on Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical, Deus Caritas Est [God is Love], and the meaning of the word “caritas”.
The cardinal said, “Caritas does not simply mean love, but also love of God. Pope Benedict XVI emphasised that God is Love.”
He said the mission of Caritas is rooted in an encounter with Jesus Christ and expressed through proclaiming the gospel, celebrating the sacraments, and serving people in need.
“These three dimensions are interconnected and inseparable. Our mission is to help build a just world that reflects the Kingdom of God, where all people experience love, compassion, and a life of dignity,” Cardinal Kikuchi said.
He said Caritas seeks to uphold human dignity by listening to people, understanding their needs, and respo nding with compassion.
“Often, through Caritas, the Church expresses this love in a tangible way. Caritas accompanies refugee families, supports farmers, cares for children, ensures access to essential services, and helps communities rebuild their lives,” the cardinal said.
Accompaniment requires more than mere presence. Our service must be competent, organised, and effective, but also deeply human, rooted in compassion and in the love of God
Cardinal Kikuchi
“In many places, the Church through Caritas becomes a source of hope, stability, and dignity for communities,” he added.
Cardinal Kikuchi also referred to Dilexi Te [I have loved you], an apostolic letter by Pope Leo XIV emphasising that the love of Christ “draws near, listens, and accompanies.”
According to the cardinal, the spirit of accompaniment must guide the Church’s humanitarian work by combining compassion with professionalism.
“Accompaniment requires more than mere presence. Our service must be competent, organised, and effective, but also deeply human, rooted in compassion and in the love of God,” he said.
The celebration drew thousands of faithful to the cathedral and highlighted Caritas’ continuing work among poor, marginalised, and vulnerable communities.
Alongside the anniversary of Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Indonesia marked two decades of humanitarian service since its establishment on 17 May 2006.
Over the past 20 years, the organisation has responded to major humanitarian crises in Indonesia, from the 2004 Aceh tsunami to floods in the Diocese of Sibolga in North Sumatra in 2025.
May this expression of gratitude become a spirit that inspires and strengthens even greater works as a concrete expression of Christ’s commandment to love one another, especially the poor and marginalised
Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin
Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin said Indonesia’s selection as host of the anniversary celebration reflected the universal character of the Church and its mission of solidarity.
“May this expression of gratitude become a spirit that inspires and strengthens even greater works as a concrete expression of Christ’s commandment to love one another, especially the poor and marginalised,” he said.
He also recalled Pope Francis’ message that serving the poor is a special grace because not everyone is given the opportunity to undertake such ministry.
Before the Thanksgiving Mass, participants visited Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Datak, where Caritas Labuan Bajo supports local farmers through the HARVEST Programme.
The initiative promotes organic agriculture and trains communities in the production of local microorganisms, organic fertilisers, and natural pesticides.
Organisers said the programme reflects Caritas Indonesia’s effort to integrate the message of “integral ecology” from Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls on the Church to hear “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”
