Home > International Directory of Company Histories > Caritas Internationalis - Key Dates:

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Key Dates:

1895:

The Charitas Comité, a Catholic aid and relief organization, is formed under the leadership of priest Lorenz Werthmann in Freiburg, Germany.

1916:

Charitas is recognized as the single official umbrella organization for the German Catholic church's relief operations.

1924:

The first international Catholic charities conference is held in Lucerne, Switzerland.

1947:

The organization, now known as Caritas Catholica, is endorsed by the Vatican as its official relief representative and relief and development aid organization in contact with the United Nations.

1951:

The structure for the new centralized international Catholic relief and aid organization is established and the first general assembly is held.

1957:

The name Caritas Internationalis is adopted.

1965:

Vatican II is released, calling for Catholic aid efforts led by Caritas Internationalis to adopt a new and broader global focus, regardless of religion or other affiliation.

1991:

In response to Pope John Paul II's call for "Globalizing Solidarity," Caritas Internationalis begins to extend its efforts beyond the provision of relief aid to emerge as a provider of development programs and as a major advocacy group in the political arena.

2002:

Caritas Internationalis launches an effort to reduce corruption among humanitarian assistance operations.

1. Introduction
2. German Origins at the Turn of the 20th Century
3. International Mandate in the Postwar Years
4. Global Advocate in the New Century
5. Company Perspectives:
6. Principal Subsidiaries
7. Key Dates:
8. Further Reading
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