Caritas in LithuaniaCaritas in Lithuania
· The Caritas Federation was established in Lithuania during the years of the first period of independent Lithuanian Republic in 1926. · In 1940, when Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union, activities of Caritas Federation were stopped. · On August 26, 1988, the initiative women’s group, led by Albina Pajarskaitė, a member of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Poor, signed the act of establishment of the Women’s Association of Caritas and started organizational work. · On April 15-16, 1989, the group organized the big assembly in Kaunas to confirm this act and the group’s agenda as well as elect its central board members and council. There were 812 delegates and more than 3,000 guests, including two women from Birštonas. · Changing times brought new perspectives of the organization and on June 2, 1991, the second special assembly confirmed new statutes and the new name – Lithuanian Caritas Federation. Since that time membership of Caritas has been open to both women and men. The President of LCF became the bishop Sigitas Tamkevičius, and the general secretary – sister Albina Pajarskaitė. · In 1998, due to strength and influence of Lithuanian Caritas in the community, a regional conference 'Caritas Europe' was held in Kaunas. The President of the regional Confederation Denis Vienot was elected. · The current President of Caritas Internationalis is Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga. · Since 2002, Lithuanian Caritas contributes to the support of parochial care-houses, organizes retreats and seminars for Caritas volunteers and as the host organisation is involved in the European Union programme 'European voluntary service' – responsible for sending young people to voluntary social work in foreign countries and accpeting the foreigners, willing to work in Caritas projects in Lithuania. LITHUANIAN CARITAS 10 Aukštaičių Street LT-44147 Kaunas Tel. (370-37) 20 54 27; fax: (370-37) 20 55 49 E-mail: caritas@lcn.lt Website: www.lcn.lt/caritas |