PONTIFICAL COUNCIL COR UNUM

                                             for Human and Christian Development

INTRODUCTION

Charity enables us to see in the poor and needy the face of Jesus Christ, who reminds us, "I was hungry, thirsty, lonely, and you helped me (cf. Mt. 25:36).

Through faith in Jesus Christ, who "gave his life for us" (1 Jn 3:16), the history of the Church gives evidence of the springing forth of countless initiatives of Charity.  To this very day, Christians around the world care for the poor and the needy in ways ranging from the simple witness of the many  faithful to the activity of large Catholic Organizations.  This splendid diversity of initiatives and actions of Christian charity is to "bear the mark of a commitment of the whole Church and full faithfulness to the whole evangelical  Message" (Paul VI, 1972).

IDENTITY

"So we were able to give your ecclesial action for aid... the name of COR UNUM, "one heart", a heart that beats in rhythm with the heart of Christ, whose pity for the hungry multitudes reaches them even in their spiritual hunger"  (Paul VI, 1972).

"You are in a certain sense the eye that spots the multiple "poverties".  You are the heart that has compassion and wants to do for the other who is in need, what one would wish for oneself.  You are the hand that is stretched out fraternally and gives practical help" (John Paul II, 1984).

FOUNDATION

The Pontifical Council COR UNUM for Human and Christian Development was established by Pope Paul VI with his Letter of Institution Amoris officio, dated 15 July 1971.

MISSION

COR UNUM expresses "the care of the Catholic Church for the needy, thereby encouraging human fellowship and making manifest the charity of Christ" (Apostolic Constitution Pastor bonus, art. 145).

OBJECTIVES :

• To assist the Pope and be his instrument for carrying out special initiatives in the field of humanitarian actions when disasters occur, or in the field of integral human promotion;

• To foster the catechesis of Charity and encourage the faithful to give a concrete witness to evangelical charity;

• To encourage and coordinate the initiatives of Catholic Organizations through the exchange of information and by promoting fraternal cooperation in favour of integral human development.

ACTIVITY

The Dicastery carries out the following activities.

For the promotion and animation of the catechesis of Charity:

• preparation and diffusion of the yearly Lenten Message of the Holy Father;

• promotion and encouragement of theological reflection among Pastors in order to strengthen the Christian roots of Charity;

• fostering and supporting volunteer service.

For the carrying out of the dispositions of the Holy Father to distribute funds  -which are the results of the spontaneous generosity of the faithful- for disaster-oriented relief and support of integral human promotion in developing countries:

-           donations in 1995:        US$              760,000

-           donations in 1996:        US$               700,000

-           donations in 1997:        US$            1,720,000

-           donations in 1998:        US$            1,237,000