Establishment of Caritas Korea International

     The Most Rev. Francis Xavier Ahn Myeong-ok, President of the Caritas Committee of the CBCK, announced at a press conference on January 18, 2011 that Caritas Korea International has been established as a juridical foundation to work on international cooperation development, including humanitarian aid to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK program).

Bishop Ahn said that the establishment of Caritas Korea International promotes enthusiastic engagement in helping people in difficulty and hunger all over the world. He also added that Caritas Korea International is intended to actively cooperate with other agencies and institutes that are working for people suffering from poverty throughout the world regardless of nationality, race, religion or ideology.

Until now the Caritas Committee of the CBCK has worked for emergency relief, cooperation of development and DPRK program. From now on Caritas Korea International is going to take charge of international affairs and pave the way for humanitarian aid for North Korea which is currently deadlocked.

     Rev. Gerard E. Hammond, the Regional Superior of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America(Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers) in Korea, who has visited North Korea more than 60 times for humanitarian aid and has personal connections in North Korea, was also attended at this press conference.

     Bishop Ahn made official announcement about Caritas Korea International's future plans such as establishing an independent over-sea juridical foundation to conduct various aid and cooperating with other agencies and institutes in other dioceses.