Caritas looks to bolster humanitarian action in Africa

Interview with the new executive secretary of Caritas Africa, the charity arm of the Catholic bishops’ conferences on the African continent
By Charles Ayetan (in Lomé) | Togo

Lucy Afandi Esipila, the new executive secretary of Caritas Africa, says the local and national Catholic charity that are part of her organization must be strengthened “to empower marginalized and disadvantaged people” and “act effectively in the face of humanitarian emergencies”.

The Kenyan native will play a key role helping to coordinate the Church’s human aid and development programs in Africa, one of the seven regions of the 162-member Caritas confederation. Caritas Africa, which encompasses 46 national Caritas organizations, is headquartered in Lomé (Togo) but also has an ancillary office in Nairobi (Kenya).

Espila, who is based in Lomé, spoke with La Croix Africa’s Charles Ayetan about the humanitarian challenges facing the African continent, her motivations and her priorities.

La Croix Africa: What significance do you attach to your election as regional executive secretary of Caritas Africa?

Lucy Esipila: It’s a great honor for me to be elected regional executive secretary of Caritas Africa. I see this responsibility as a mission from God, because Caritas is one of the Catholic Church’s main charitable organizations, and our job is to serve, accompany and defend the poor.

I’ve learned a lot over my twelve years of experience at diocesan, national and regional levels. This is what motivated my challenge to work with the regional secretariat team and the entire network alongside sister agencies and partners to build resilient communities in Africa, building on the solid foundations established by the outgoing leadership of Mr. Albert Mashika and the archbishop of Kumasi, Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye.

What is your mission?

I work under the direction of the president, Msgr. Pierre Cibambo, who is responsible for the overall governance of Caritas on our continent. My mission will be shaped by the organization’s 2024-2030 strategic plan. Inspired by the Gospel and within the framework of the Church’s mission, we work in a spirit of communion, fraternal cooperation and partnership for a better Africa by serving vulnerable populations.

It is also about strengthening national Caritas to empower marginalized and disadvantaged people and advocate for the creation of resilient communities with their own participation, but also to act effectively in the face of humanitarian emergencies. Coordination must also encourage network members to participate in the various transformations required.

What are the major challenges on the African continent and what are your priorities?

Africa is facing challenges linked to crises such as pandemics, wars and conflicts, climate change, etc.

According to our strategy, one of my priorities is to position Caritas as the organized service of charity by promoting local leadership, ecumenical cooperation, and then working closely with like-minded actors from other religious groups, synodality and communion. It is fundamental to strengthen pastoral collaboration and communication with the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).

Another priority is to achieve the sustainability of Caritas Africa in order to continue to provide basic services to the 46 member organizations, cover the operational costs of the secretariat, strengthen our role of representation, facilitation and coordination in humanitarian action, reinforce our international advocacy and ensure that the voices of the communities we serve are heard.

How do you assess the place of women in the Church?

At the Caritas Internationalis general assembly held last May in Rome, based on three pillars – fraternal cooperation, synodality (communion) and regionalization – we noted an increase in the number of women in leadership positions. This is encouraging.

The Church is doing its best to strengthen the role of women and young people in decision-making. I’m living testimony to this; change is on the way, and it’s welcome.

Read more at: https://international.la-croix.com/