Speaking at a week-long meeting in Rome of the global confederation of 162 national Caritas chapters, Czerny (pictured) explained that the move was necessary for the well-being of staff at Caritas and was not a condemnation of its work.

"I am sure that all of you were surprised and disturbed by this," Czerny told the audience.

"The appointment of a temporary administrator was an act of love and care, not a denunciation ... It was a necessary call to repair and fine-tune a body that is essential for the whole church."

The November decision saw Francis fire Caritas secretary-general Aloysius John, president Filipino Cardinal Antonio Tagle, Tagle's vice presidents, the treasurer, and ecclesiastic assistant.

The move came after an external investigation revealed "real deficiencies" in management that had affected staff morale at the Caritas secretariat in Rome.

While there was no evidence of financial wrongdoing or sexual misconduct, former employees described a toxic workplace environment under John, where staff were bullied, harassed and humiliated.

Several quit, giving up sought-after income tax-free Vatican employment rather than remain in abusive conditions.

Czerny insisted that the dismissals were necessary and appropriate and were by no means a criticism of Caritas or its work providing emergency aid and development assistance to the neediest worldwide.

The cardinal explained that the investigation had "revealed patterns of workplace relationships and processes that prevented the general secretariat from operating properly; furthermore, they undermined the well-being of staff.

They put the operations, name and reputation at risk, not only of Caritas Internationalis but of all Caritas."

"Brutal power grab"

On the eve of the Caritas assembly to elect new leaders, John wrote an open letter to the Caritas representatives, criticising Czerny's office for a "brutal power grab" and casting his ouster in racial terms.

John, a French citizen of Indian descent, said that the wealthier donor countries from the "North" had never wanted a Caritas secretary-general from the "South" and wanted to impose their will on the confederation.

On Saturday, Archbishop Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo was elected as the organisation's new president.

He will hold office for four years and may be reelected for a second term.

Addressing the assembly's 400 delegates, the archbishop stressed that Caritas "must be in the front line to receive, accompany, serve and defend the poor and vulnerable."

"This mission must be upheld and capture all attention of the members of the confederation, and I would like to be the one to lead the entire organisation to fulfil this important mission of the Church together with the Secretary-General," Kikuchi said.

"All are invited to walk together."

Sources

AP News

CBCP News

CathNews New Zealand

Aloysius John, who was removed from his position as secretary-general in November 2022, alleged that his ousting was a result of the "deliberate will" of some Vatican officials.

Pope Francis removed the entire leadership of Caritas Internationalis after an independent review reportedly found deficiencies in the organisation's "management and procedures, seriously prejudicing team-spirit and staff morale."

The review examined "the workplace environment of the [Caritas Internationalis] General Secretariat and its alignment with Catholic values of human dignity and respect for each person."

Mr John, a French citizen of Indian descent, claimed that Caritas leaders from wealthier "Northern" regions never wanted a leader from the "South". The Caritas president, Filipino Cardinal Antonio Tagle, was also removed from his position during the clean-out of top management.

There was no evidence of financial wrongdoing or sexual misconduct, the Vatican said. But former employees described a toxic workplace environment under John, where staff were bullied, harassed and humiliated. As a result, several quit, giving up sought-after income tax-free Vatican employment rather than remain in abusive conditions.

Caritas was functioning well

John insists that Caritas was functioning well and was in good financial shape when he was fired. He also said he had sought the independent inquiry to better support staff who had complained.

He said the Vatican's decision to fire him was "made in haste, with incredible violence and very poor public communication." He added the decision had "discredited the Church and one of its jewels, Caritas Internationalis."

"It is a brutal power grab," he wrote of the takeover by the Vatican's development office.

The confederation's general assembly will take place from 11-16 May, during which new leaders of 162 national chapters will be elected.

John warned attendees to "guard against any 'political' drift and thus remain at the service of the poor, in the spirit of the Gospel." He also thanked Caritas Internationalis members who proposed that he run for this year's assembly but alleged that the Candidature Committee "arbitrarily and without any explanation rejected" the proposal.

Caritas Internationalis, founded in 1951, is a Catholic confederation of 162 charitable organisations in 200 countries worldwide. The governance of Caritas Internationalis is elected for four-year terms during the general assembly.

Sources

Religion News Service

Licas News

CathNews New Zealand