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ACTIVITIES OF CARITAS HELLAS IN 2005

Caritas Hellas has not ceased her activities as was disseminated to the whole of Greece by certain well wishers. On the contrary in 2005 our activities were as follows:

- Following our recommendation to the Holy Synod of the Catholic Hierarchy of Greece (ISKIE) there was a collection for the victims of the Southeast Asian tsunami. The money collected was sent via the papal nuncio to Caritas International.

- At the request of Caritas Europa we sent a message to the Foreign Minister for the World Day of Solidarity for the Palestinian Nation to express the positions of Caritas Europa and Caritas International.

- We enrolled as a member of the Hellenic Federation of Voluntary Non Governmental Organisations.

- With the collaboration of representatives of local Caritas organizations (Caritas Athens, Caritas Divine Providence, Caritas Chios, Caritas of Armenian Catholics in Greece) we took part in the Money Show at the Hilton hotel, where we had a kiosk with printed publications and photographs.

We also took part in the seminars which were held during the meeting.

- Again at the request of Caritas Europa we sent a message to the deputy Foreign Ministers and the permanent representation of Greece to the European Union, regarding the ratification of the development policy of the European Union for the poor countries of the world. We received a positive response from for the Secretary of the Greek Representation Mr M. Belibasakis.

Lastly we received an e-mail from C.I.D.S.E.(International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity in Europe) which thanked Caritas Hellas amongst other organizations and Caritas groups for the letter we had sent to our deputy ministers and informed us of the positive response of this joint letter to the European Union in the hope that these positions will be adhered to in the future, always to the benefit of the poor and developing countries.

- We organized a meeting about Trafficking which was very successful, and heard most favourable comments from the Caritas Rome representatives with whom we collaborated on the programme.

- We signed up for the next part of the AGIS progamme, committing ourselves to organize three seminars in Greece (Athens, Thessalonika, Syros or Crete are our suggestions). The programme has been submitted by Caritas Rome to the European Union for approval.

- Mr Anthony Groullero, the General Secretary of Caritas Hellas, participated in the celebration for 15 years of activity of Doctors of the World on our behalf.

Participation of Caritas Hellas in the weekend
Money Show Congress of the
Hellenic Federation of Voluntary Non Governmental Organisations

Caritas Hellas, a member of the Hellenic Federation of Voluntary Non Governmental Organisations ( O.E.M.KO) with the help of Caritas Athens, participated in the Money Show Congress which was held on 3&4 December at the Hilton Hotel, with their own kiosk.

Members of Caritas attended the sessions about volunteering in Greece, participation in European programmes and ways of funding voluntary organizations through the public sector.

With posters, brochures and photographic displays at the kiosk, Caritas Hellas had the opportunity to demonstrate the activities of the local Caritas organizations to a wider Greek public. The attendance throughout the weekend was good and the volunteers gave information to the visitors and answered their questions about the work of Caritas.

It was a really good opportunity for the Catholic Church’s charity CARITAS to be a dynamic presence in a forum on the problems of Greek society.

Declaration of Caritas Europe and of C.I.D.S.E. on EU dev. policy Development Policy and Financial Perspectives
for the period 2007 -2013

Caritas Europa in collaboration with C.I.D.S.E. (International cooperation for Development and Solidarity in Europe) issued a joint advocacy letter addressed to the Foreign Ministries of the member countries of the European Union regarding the politics of development and economic outlook of the European Union for the period 2007 -2013.

Caritas Hellas sent the translated declaration to the deputy foreign ministers Messers E. Stylianidis and M.Mavromatis, as well as to Mr. M. Belibasaki at the Permanent Greek Representation at the Council of Europe.

The declaration urges the member states to commit themselves to developmental strategies with the aim of lasting development of poor and marginalized nations with special participation of each local community for the implementation of all the targets referred to in the Millennium Development Goals.

It refers to the method of trading transactions for the benefit of poor countries so that the millions of people are not excluded who depend particularly on farming and would sink into squalor and destitution.

In the declaration it is also emphasized that the revenues of the member countries shouldn’t be utilised for anti-terrorist goals or for peace- keeping , but for the development of the poor nations since the development policy of the European Union is based on the vision of a more just and equitable world.

The Declaration concludes by mentioning that Caritas endeavours to carry this message of a just development policy to the decision makers in the European Union who are responsible for the destinies of countries.

In his reply Mr. Belibasakis thanked Caritas Hellas for the mission of the declaration and gave his assurance that the position of the Greek Government coincides with the position of Caritas Europa and of C.I.D.S.E., and will support them at every opportunity.

In a recent letter, Caritas Europe and C.I.D.S.E., after thanking the various organisations which had promoted their declaration, informed us that there had been a positive response to the views that had been put forward and stressed that hard work and close supervision of governments will be needed for the achievement of the goals.

Participation of Caritas Hellas in the Meeting for Church Unity in the
Armenian Catholic Exarchate with the talk of the
Secretary General of Caritas Hellas, Mr Anthony Groullero.

Today’s meeting brings a story to mind.

There were once two brothers, George and John who went on a hunting trip to Africa. There they found suitable guides to help them track the game. Before setting off however, they had a violent disagreement about the route to follow. The quarrel grew heated and came to blows. Finally George took his men and left while John went off in a different direction.

The two groups rushed into the jungle. Hours passed and George and his team who were hidden near the wild animals saw the foliage opposite them move suddenly. Immediately they loaded their weapons and waited .The movements ahead became more frequent. George gave the appropriate instructions, but suddenly, although they were ready to fire, they heard voices speaking in Greek. They drew closer and he saw that it wasn’t wild beasts at all but his brother John, whom he had nearly killed thinking he was some animal.

This simple tale helps us to realize that we divided Christians of all creeds and denominations are brothers. From the first centuries after the various schisms, and even recently, whilst the official Churches’ responsible committees made attempts at dialogue and rapprochement, some people of malicious intent tried to widen the chasm.

With fanaticism, with fiery sermons, with actions that bear no relation to Jesus’ prayer “That they may all be one” they tried and are trying to divide Christendom even further.

Why however? Since as much as one approaches the other we find that we are brothers. Each with his peculiarities to be sure, but brothers!

Lets come close to one another then, lets shake hands and embrace, lets be reconciled, lets forgive one another, as Matthew tells us in Chapter 18.

Lets be an example for those who don’t yet know Christ’s command “Love one another” “

Lets help the hungry, the needy, the helpless, the despised, the persecuted, the imprisoned, the oppressed brother or sister, irrespective of race, colour, language.

Lets obey Jesus’ command ‘ Love your neighbour as yourself.”

Lets leave behind all fanaticism, ill-will, hatred, religious disputes, self-seeking and egoism.

Lets open our hearts and be reconciled at last!


			Efforts during the last two years Activities 1999

ACTIVITIES OF CARITAS HELLAS IN 2005 Caritas Hellas has not ceased her activities as was disseminated to the whole of Greece by certain well wishers. On the contrary in 2005 our activities were as follows: - Following our recommendation to the Holy Synod of the Catholic Hierarchy of Greece (ISKIE) there was a collection for the victims of the Southeast Asian tsunami. The money collected was sent via the papal nuncio to Caritas International. - At the request of Caritas Europa we sent a message to the Foreign Minister for the World Day of Solidarity for the Palestinian Nation to express the positions of Caritas Europa and Caritas International. - We enrolled as a member of the Hellenic Federation of Voluntary Non Governmental Organisations. - With the collaboration of representatives of local Caritas organizations (Caritas Athens, Caritas Divine Providence, Caritas Chios, Caritas of Armenian Catholics in Greece) we took part in the Money Show at the Hilton hotel, where we had a kiosk with printed publications and photographs. We also took part in the seminars which were held during the meeting. - Again at the request of Caritas Europa we sent a message to the deputy Foreign Ministers and the permanent representation of Greece to the European Union, regarding the ratification of the development policy of the European Union for the poor countries of the world. We received a positive response from for the Secretary of the Greek Representation Mr M. Belibasakis. Lastly we received an e-mail from C.I.D.S.E.(International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity in Europe) which thanked Caritas Hellas amongst other organizations and Caritas groups for the letter we had sent to our deputy ministers and informed us of the positive response of this joint letter to the European Union in the hope that these positions will be adhered to in the future, always to the benefit of the poor and developing countries. - We organized a meeting about Trafficking which was very successful, and heard most favourable comments from the Caritas Rome representatives with whom we collaborated on the programme. - We signed up for the next part of the AGIS progamme, committing ourselves to organize three seminars in Greece (Athens, Thessalonika, Syros or Crete are our suggestions). The programme has been submitted by Caritas Rome to the European Union for approval. - Mr Anthony Groullero, the General Secretary of Caritas Hellas, participated in the celebration for 15 years of activity of Doctors of the World on our behalf. Participation of Caritas Hellas in the weekend Money Show Congress of the Hellenic Federation of Voluntary Non Governmental Organisations Caritas Hellas, a member of the Hellenic Federation of Voluntary Non Governmental Organisations ( O.E.M.KO) with the help of Caritas Athens, participated in the Money Show Congress which was held on 3&4 December at the Hilton Hotel, with their own kiosk. Members of Caritas attended the sessions about volunteering in Greece, participation in European programmes and ways of funding voluntary organizations through the public sector. With posters, brochures and photographic displays at the kiosk, Caritas Hellas had the opportunity to demonstrate the activities of the local Caritas organizations to a wider Greek public. The attendance throughout the weekend was good and the volunteers gave information to the visitors and answered their questions about the work of Caritas. It was a really good opportunity for the Catholic Church’s charity CARITAS to be a dynamic presence in a forum on the problems of Greek society. Declaration of Caritas Europe and of C.I.D.S.E. on EU dev. policy Development Policy and Financial Perspectives for the period 2007 -2013 Caritas Europa in collaboration with C.I.D.S.E. (International cooperation for Development and Solidarity in Europe) issued a joint advocacy letter addressed to the Foreign Ministries of the member countries of the European Union regarding the politics of development and economic outlook of the European Union for the period 2007 -2013. Caritas Hellas sent the translated declaration to the deputy foreign ministers Messers E. Stylianidis and M.Mavromatis, as well as to Mr. M. Belibasaki at the Permanent Greek Representation at the Council of Europe. The declaration urges the member states to commit themselves to developmental strategies with the aim of lasting development of poor and marginalized nations with special participation of each local community for the implementation of all the targets referred to in the Millennium Development Goals. It refers to the method of trading transactions for the benefit of poor countries so that the millions of people are not excluded who depend particularly on farming and would sink into squalor and destitution. In the declaration it is also emphasized that the revenues of the member countries shouldn’t be utilised for anti-terrorist goals or for peace- keeping , but for the development of the poor nations since the development policy of the European Union is based on the vision of a more just and equitable world. The Declaration concludes by mentioning that Caritas endeavours to carry this message of a just development policy to the decision makers in the European Union who are responsible for the destinies of countries. In his reply Mr. Belibasakis thanked Caritas Hellas for the mission of the declaration and gave his assurance that the position of the Greek Government coincides with the position of Caritas Europa and of C.I.D.S.E., and will support them at every opportunity. In a recent letter, Caritas Europe and C.I.D.S.E., after thanking the various organisations which had promoted their declaration, informed us that there had been a positive response to the views that had been put forward and stressed that hard work and close supervision of governments will be needed for the achievement of the goals. Participation of Caritas Hellas in the Meeting for Church Unity in the Armenian Catholic Exarchate with the talk of the Secretary General of Caritas Hellas, Mr Anthony Groullero. Today’s meeting brings a story to mind. There were once two brothers, George and John who went on a hunting trip to Africa. There they found suitable guides to help them track the game. Before setting off however, they had a violent disagreement about the route to follow. The quarrel grew heated and came to blows. Finally George took his men and left while John went off in a different direction. The two groups rushed into the jungle. Hours passed and George and his team who were hidden near the wild animals saw the foliage opposite them move suddenly. Immediately they loaded their weapons and waited .The movements ahead became more frequent. George gave the appropriate instructions, but suddenly, although they were ready to fire, they heard voices speaking in Greek. They drew closer and he saw that it wasn’t wild beasts at all but his brother John, whom he had nearly killed thinking he was some animal. This simple tale helps us to realize that we divided Christians of all creeds and denominations are brothers. From the first centuries after the various schisms, and even recently, whilst the official Churches’ responsible committees made attempts at dialogue and rapprochement, some people of malicious intent tried to widen the chasm. With fanaticism, with fiery sermons, with actions that bear no relation to Jesus’ prayer “That they may all be one” they tried and are trying to divide Christendom even further. Why however? Since as much as one approaches the other we find that we are brothers. Each with his peculiarities to be sure, but brothers! Lets come close to one another then, lets shake hands and embrace, lets be reconciled, lets forgive one another, as Matthew tells us in Chapter 18. Lets be an example for those who don’t yet know Christ’s command “Love one another” “ Lets help the hungry, the needy, the helpless, the despised, the persecuted, the imprisoned, the oppressed brother or sister, irrespective of race, colour, language. Lets obey Jesus’ command ‘ Love your neighbour as yourself.” Lets leave behind all fanaticism, ill-will, hatred, religious disputes, self-seeking and egoism. Lets open our hearts and be reconciled at last!