Best Practices

Ten Pillars for Best Practices​

CIV is a Confederation comprised of Catholic organizations and institutions (“Member Organizations”). (Statutes Chapter II, 4.1) CIV reaches out to fulfill its vision of extending charity in the truth of the Gospel with the help of many other collaborators. Together we:

Hold to teachings​

Member Organizations have the duty and responsibility to hold primarily to the teachings of the encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love) as the guiding principles for all charitable activities, and to abide by the norms of the “Motu Proprio” Intima Ecclesiae Natura (On the Service of Charity) (IEN).

Witness

All charitable activities of CiVI, while addressing the great needs of the poor, are a “witness” to the “charitable mission” that Jesus has entrusted to the Church. Embrace common standards: CIV upholds all Member Organizations to a common code of standard (cf. IEN, Art. 2 §1) concerning the understanding of Catholic charities, based on Deus Caritas Est and Intima Ecclesiae Natura, and encourage, in turn, all other collaborators to do the same (Statutes II, 4.3).

Seek ongoing formation

CIV encourages all Member Organizations and charity workers (whom Pope Francis calls “witnesses of the Gospel”) to participate in regular and adequate formation offered by CiVI, to be able to respond, both in “emergency situations” and in “tackling long term poverty” for integral human development, in line with the mission of the Church.

Build on the encounter with Jesus

Charity workers of Member Organizations participate and receive adequate spiritual formation and live a life based on a “personal encounter with Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior”. (Evangelii Gaudium and Intima Ecclesiae Natura, Art 7:1) Accomplish common tasks: As an international Confederation, CIV members unite together to accomplish different and common tasks, in the sphere of Charity and Mission, and community building, for the good of the poor and the marginalized.

Work in unity

CIV Member Organizations maintain a healthy relationship with each other and work in unity with local bishop, and, as a Confederation, work in direct collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Charity Cor Unum.

Respond with the Truth

Collectively, Member Organizations respond in Caritas (charity) and in Veritate (truth). (cf. 1 Jn. 4,4-21, Deus Caritas Est)

Share same vision

CIV Member Organizations form a network of leaders and meaningful strategic relations between other organizations and institutions who share the same vision of charity and mission.

Extend aid rooted in faith

CIV Member Organizations firmly hold to the beliefs that: charity and truth are the two key signs of an evangelical and missionary Church, for the Church is not an NGO. (cf. Pope Francis, Homily, June 11, 2013); and “The relationship with God must always be the priority, and any true sharing of goods, in the spirit of the Gospel, must be rooted in faith” (cf. Benedict XVI General Audience, April 25, 2012).

Apply principles of subsidiarity

Though fully autonomous, Member Organizations collaborate together to reach greater objectives, in the light of the “principles of subsidiarity”.

Realize the goals

CIV realizes its scope, together or through individual Member Organizations, pursuing activities to (Statutes 8.1):

  1. transform lives and restore the dignity of the underprivileged;
  2. inspire hope in those affected by natural disasters or long term poverty, through works of charitable solidarity and brotherly aid aimed at human progress and stimulating the pursuit of justice;
  3. support and encourage a deeper understanding of caritas in the priesthood;
  4. help restore Catholic life, apostolate and liturgies for youth and families as an essential building block to an authentic Catholic aid effort; e. help restore, through charity in truth, true dignity of the poorest of the poor;
  5. build local and sustainable communities, which will be able to bear witness and offer to the world the gift of charity in truth over many decades; and
  6. form a generation of young leaders who will continue to practice the integrated compassion of good works and evangelization throughout the rest of their lives.