Sustainability “not just financial”: Caritas Africa Official Calls for Spiritual Growth at Lusophone Forum

São Tomé, 14 September, 2025 / 8:54 PM

The Regional Executive Secretary of Caritas Africa has underscored the vital role of Caritas organizations in Portuguese-speaking (Lusophone) Africa in sustaining the Catholic Church’s charitable mission, stressing the importance of spiritual growth in both countries.

Speaking at the opening of the 12th Forum of Lusophone Caritas, which was held from September 9-12 in São Tomé and Príncipe, Lucy Afandi Esipila appealed to Caritas São Tomé and other Portuguese-speaking African countries to continue growing in faith, responsibility, and communion. 

“We must strengthen the presence of Caritas in our dioceses. Sustainability is not only financial; it is spiritual, pastoral, and communal,” Ms. Esipila said in her address on Tuesday, September 9.

Recalling Pope Benedict XVI’s teaching that the mission of the Church rests on three inseparable pillars: the Word of God, the Sacraments, and Charity, she said, “This triad must always be present in Caritas’ action. We cannot separate charity from faith or from the Church’s pastoral mission.”

The event, held under the theme “Lusophone Caritas: for the respect of life and human dignity”, was aimed at uniting Lusophone Caritas in the Church’s intrinsic mission of promoting and defending fundamental human rights.

It aimed to foster the role of the Church promoting the right to life, sanitation, a healthy environment, solidarity economy, protection, housing, healthcare, education, food security, and active citizenship.

The Kenyan Caritas official lauded the warm hospitality of the host country, describing it as “a true miracle.” 

“I attended Mass on Sunday and was impressed by how welcoming the people are and how approachable the Church leaders are. I carry this memory with me with gratitude and emotion,” she said.

Underlining the importance of networking and working in communion with the local Church, she said, “We must always continue complementing the work of the government, with the support of the 11 local churches.”

The Kenyan-born official explained that Caritas Africa, headquartered in Lomé, Togo, represents a network of 46 national Caritas organizations. 

“São Tomé and Príncipe is one of our 46 members. The presence of so many representatives at this forum is proof of our strength as an ecclesial body committed to social justice and human dignity,” Ms. Esipila said.

She acknowledged the presence of Caritas Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and Portugal, stressing the fundamental role each plays in strengthening the common mission.

The Caritas Africa official also reflected on the importance of ecclesial identity and integral ecology, recalling Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, Laudato Si’. 

“Integral ecology is part of our mission: caring for creation, fighting hunger, and promoting environmental justice. Food security and agroecology are central to Caritas Africa’s actions,” she said.

Making reference to Pope Francis, she noted that “our identity as the Catholic Church must be rooted in a synodal mission and active faith. We are called to walk together with hope and responsibility, at the service of the poorest and most marginalized. As the Pope said, the Church must be missionary, synodal, and ecological.”

Also speaking at the event, the Director General of Caritas Angola, Sr. Rosa Lídia González da Costa said, “To be a synodal Caritas means valuing cultural contexts, listening to the Word of God, and working in unity with the most vulnerable.” 

The Caritas Angola official underscored the need to move beyond mere assistance, saying, “We want to teach people how to fish, not just give fish. We are no longer in an emergency phase; now is the time to discover gifts and talents to rise from poverty with dignity.”

Meanwhile, Fr. Admário João Delgado of Caritas São Tomé and Príncipe said in his presentation that Caritas in the country seeks to embody the face of the Church in promoting human dignity.

“Our identity is expressed in faith, apostolic tradition, charity, and social justice. We are called to promote Christian life through concrete actions,” Fr. Admário said.

He added, “Faith leads us to action — to take up the cross, to live in prayer, and to walk with others. The Church must remain united and alive among the people.”

Fr. Admário emphasized the need to educate for love, saying, “To educate for love is to educate for dignity, for mutual respect, and for solidarity. There is no true charity without justice.”

 “We must be men and women of hope. It is in hope that we are saved, as St. Paul reminds us. And it is with hope that we must continue our mission,” he added.