US Catholic aid organization partners with papal charitable outreach

By Thaddeus Jones

The leadership of the US-based humanitarian aid organization Cross Catholic Outreach visited the Vatican recently to renew its support for Pope Francis' charitable activities around the world. The charity's new president, Michele Sagarino, and former president and founder, Jim Cavnar, met with the prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Service of Charity, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, followed by a meeting with Pope Francis at the conclusion of the General Audience of 8 May. 

During their meetings, they renewed their partnership in support of the Pope's charitable outreach, which has included providing medical equipment for Ukraine and desperately needed food for the hungry in Syria and Gaza. Cross Catholic Outreach has provided assistance to papal charitable works for almost two decades since its founding in 2001. The charity has official recognition as a Catholic charitable organization since its canonical statutes were reviewed and approved by the Vatican.

Cross Catholic Outreach provides both emergency and devolopment aid around the world, working through dioceses and religious orders of the local Church, as they are very familiar of the needs, local contexts, and how to better serve and save lives. The goal is to help empower the local people in every way possible to meet local needs and drive change for the better. Their mission is to "mobilize the global Catholic Church to transform the poor and their communities materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ."

The charity has provided over four and half billion dollars worth of humanitarian aid to local churches, ranging from food, housing, access to clean water, microfinance, and education.

Listen to the Vatican Radio interview with Cross Catholic Outreach leaders Michele Sagarino, President; Jim Cavnar, former president and founder; and Fr. David Caron, OP, Ecclesiastical Advisor.