Welcome to Caritas
 

Caritas is the Catholic agency for justice, peace and development. Caritas can be translated as “love in action”, which means that we work to make a real difference in the lives of people living with poverty or injustice. Gospel values and Catholic social teaching provide the foundation and framework for our work. We are a part of the Caritas Internationalis confederation of Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies.

New Zealand Charities Commission Registration No: CC36055.

Media Releases

Catholic aid network Caritas Internationalis is supporting over 50,000 people in an initial response to the earthquake in Haiti.Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand director Michael Smith says an more»
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is accepting donations towards a huge international Caritas effort responding to the devastation of the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck the Caribbean nation of more»
With another Easter Trading Bill served up on Parliamentary Members' table just before the festive season, a Church group is asking the Bill's proponent Todd McClay to discuss the issues – on more»
The Kiwis for 350 climate change petition to the House of Representatives was presented at Parliament on Monday, hours before the start of the UN climate change summit underway in Copenhagen, more»

  

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Caritas in Haiti

New Zealanders have contributed over NZ$300,000 as the international Caritas network appeals for US$42 million to provide 200,000 Haiti quake survivors with food, shelter, medical help, and clean water.

  

To Donate to the Haiti Earthquake Appeal:

 

  • Phone 0800 22 10 22 (credit card payment)
  • Phone 0900 4 11 11 for $20 to be donated from your phone account
  • Click here to donate online (credit card payment)
  • Post a cheque: to Caritas, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

 

What is Caritas doing?

img_8824_Santo_Domingo_warehouse.jpgCaritas is providing 200,000 quake survivors with immediate food, shelter, medical help, and clean water, and working towards a 12-month reconstruction programme. Caritas' strength lies in grassroots networks giving direct contact with communities and a point from which to provide help.

Photo: Volunteers from local churches prepare food kits in neighbouring Dominican Republic. Katie Orlinsky/ Caritas.

Overview of the Caritas response in Haiti

Watch video of Caritas' aid efforts in Haiti  ...

Follow the Caritas Internationalis blog ...

PRAY FOR HAITI through our Caritas Companions

 

West Papua Land of Peace: 5 Feb

Mark West Papua Land of Peace day by joining us and Global Focus Aotearoa for fair trade coffee and chocolate, and three short films followed by a discussion. Friday 5 February 2010 at 5.30pm. Read more.

 

Coming up for Lent

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on 17 February. Our Lenten theme "working together in true communion" is drawn from Pope Benedict's 2009 encyclical Caritas in Veritate (para 53). The Lent Appeal is Caritas' main appeal of the year. Resources have been sent to schools and parishes.

Our schools' resource features the popular Lent Lifestyle Calendar and a songwriting competition.  A quality Reflection Programme is available in English, Samoan and Tongan. There is also additional scripture reflection. Find out more...

 

NZ Ratifies Cluster Munitions Convention

New Zealand has become the 25th country to ratify the international treaty banning cluster munitions, helping to bring the Cluster Munitions Convention one step closer to international law. Read more ...