After the decision of the Minister of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovello, to reject the pressure of the picketing sectors that demand food supplies and opt to sign agreements with religious entities such as
Cáritas Argentina
, the social face of the Catholic flock, the Church left this Friday to clarify his role in attending soup kitchens and
defended social organizations
, although he asked for a
system with "transparency
. "
The Catholic organization signed an agreement
for more than $310 million for the purchase of food, in the midst of a dispute between the head of Human Capital and picketing groups that formed
lines of "people who are hungry"
in reaction to that phrase from the minister that aimed to take away the prominence of intermediary organizations of social assistance.
Cáritas was left in the middle
and its episcopal commission decided to issue a written clarification.
" This commitment
has been misinterpreted, understanding it as an
exclusive
agreement
between the Church and the State to be the sole or main validated interlocutors in helping the most vulnerable sectors," Caritas warned in a statement signed by the three directors.
In the text, bishops Carlos Tissera, Gustavo Carrara and Roberto Álvarez point out that in the face of the increase in poverty they have
learned
"to work
with a large number of movements, associations
, neighborhood centers, and unions."
For this reason, they asked "
to integrate all those
who with enormous sensitivity care for the poorest" and that
"they be given the necessary help
so that they can continue doing so."
The statement was made known shortly after the gesture that the Government had with the Church in the same week in which it eluded leaders of social organizations and, in parallel, closed other agreements
with Conin and with evangelical sectors
.
Video
The Minister of Human Capital met protesters and clarified that she will not speak with leaders, but with "people who are hungry."
"
We can all grow in transparency
, and a precise instrument is
audits
. It is a fundamental element to guarantee that all the
funds awarded reach the poorest
, which is our main objective," they pointed out from Cáritas, in a compensation for the official view. .
The statement concludes by leaving aside political issues and placing main emphasis on those most in need: "It is not difficult to overcome the present difficulties and disagreements by putting back at the center what should always have remained there: the people and families who live in the "poverty or destitution, especially children and the elderly.
The rest is nothing
."
Unlike Cáritas, after the Episcopal Conference raised the need for funds to be transferred urgently,
Minister Pettovello was not flexible with the picketing sectors
, with whom she did not directly want to negotiate after they had pressured her for more. resources and marched to the Human Capital headquarters to deepen the claim.
In return, Luciano Ojea Quintana - national director of Cáritas Argentina - was
"happy" to have signed
the renewal of the
snack agreement
.
And he advocated: "We will continue working alongside those suffering from the
food crisis
within the framework of the serious social situation that is being experienced."
Throughout the country,
Cáritas responds to the specific and urgent needs of families, groups and communities
in situations of socioeconomic emergency and vulnerability, accompanied by more than 40,000 volunteers.
The organization's objectives include managing and planning an organized, responsible and strategic diet to promote healthier habits with balanced nutrition.
Cáritas, in the midst of tension between the Government and the picketers: the full statement
As a result of the agreement between Cáritas Nacional and the National State linked to the renewal of a snack agreement, said commitment has been misinterpreted, understanding it as an exclusive agreement between the Church and the State to be the sole or main validated interlocutors in helping the most vulnerable sectors.
Carlos Tissera, bishop of Quilmes and president of the episcopal commission of Cáritas.
Photo Agency OwlImage
We appreciate the trust that states at their different levels – national, provincial and municipal – have had in Cáritas over decades, based on the tireless work of countless Cáritas volunteers throughout the country and the transparency in the use of funds.
We also express that over the last few years and as poverty levels have grown in Argentina, we have learned to work with a large number of movements, associations, neighborhood centers, unions, etc. It is that today no one can assume the quantity and complexity of social work individually, and that is why we insist on integrating all those who with enormous sensitivity care for the poorest and that they also be given the necessary help so that they can keep doing it.
The Caritas statement.
Certainly we can all grow in transparency, and a precise instrument is audits. We understand that it is a fundamental element to guarantee that all awarded funds reach the poorest, which is our main objective.
In a country whose poverty continues to grow and that does not admit biased views, ideological prejudices and sectoral fights, we witness that many brothers live the anguish of not knowing what they will feed their children tomorrow. It is not difficult to overcome the current difficulties and disagreements by putting back at the center what should always have been there: people and families who live in poverty or destitution, especially children and the elderly. The rest is nothing else.
D.S.