The leader of one of the world’s largest humanitarian networks has met Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, as part of a visit to Australia in which he highlighted the Catholic Church’s unique capacity to offer help and affect change in communities ranging from local parishes to the highest levels of global decision-making.
Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, visited Canberra and Sydney in mid-October, where he met with parliamentarians, senior government advisers, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials, Church leaders and Caritas Australia staff.
The visit focused on the changing global aid landscape and the role trusted local institutions can play, as humanitarian needs grow and international cooperation comes under increasing pressure.
During his Sydney visit, Mr Dutton met with Bishop Vincent in Parramatta where they discussed Caritas’s global mission and the role of the local Church in bringing that mission to life within dioceses, schools and communities.
The two discussed how the Diocese of Parramatta provides a strong example of how the local Church can engage people with issues of poverty, inequality and justice through formation and practical action, with its embedded “Faith in Action” approach within its Religious Education curriculum. Caritas Australia has partnered with Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese to develop curriculum units that connect this approach with Project Compassion, including the BIG Water Walk.
“The Parramatta Diocese demonstrates and reminds us that global issues do not need to remain distant. When connected to faith formation, Catholic Social Teaching and practical opportunities for action, they can become meaningful expressions of discipleship and solidarity within Australian dioceses,” Mr Dutton said.
Bishop Vincent said that several years earlier, as the then-chair of the Bishops’ Commission for Social Justice, Service and Mission, he had met Mr Dutton in Rome and “discussed matters relating to our common mission”.
“This time, I shared with him the various initiatives that the Diocese of Parramatta undertook in order to deepen our commitment and partnership with Caritas Australia (such as the BIG Water Walk). We are proud to be a strong partner with Caritas,” Bishop Vincent said.
While in Parramatta, Mr Dutton also joined clergy from Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral for lunch before meeting Most Reverend Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Maronite Bishop of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania.
During his time in Canberra he joined Caritas Australia Chief Executive Kirsten Sayers in meetings with members of parliament, ministerial advisers and senior Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade representatives.
Discussions focused on pressures facing the global humanitarian system, Australia’s engagement in the Asia-Pacific, and the contribution of faith-based networks to humanitarian response, development and social cohesion.
He also met members of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Secretariat and senior Caritas Australia leaders to discuss the shared mission of the Church and Caritas.
Mr Dutton said that as multilateral institutions and international aid budgets came under pressure, the Church’s ability to convene people across political, cultural and geographic divides was increasingly important.
“At a time when many international institutions are under strain, the Catholic Church continues to touch every level of community life around the world,” he said.
“Under the moral leadership of Pope Leo XIV, the Church is emphasising its responsibility to uphold human dignity, stand alongside people experiencing poverty and crisis, and help rebuild cooperation in an increasingly divided world.”
Kirsten Sayers said the visit demonstrated the potential of the global Caritas network to connect local community experience with national and international decision-making.
“Caritas is part of a global network, but its real strength begins in local communities through parishes, dioceses and local organisations,” she said.
“The Church is present in some of the most remote and vulnerable communities across our region. Alistair’s visit was an important opportunity to bring that experience into conversations with Australian decision makers and Church leaders.”
