Caritas was set up to respond to natural disasters and the social needs of the underprivileged. It has endured over half a century with the blessing of a set of core values which continues to be the guiding principles of its services.

1. CARITAS’ CORE VALUES
AND
GUIDING PRINCIPLES

2. Care for
creation
Cooperation
to achieve
impact
Sustainability
& self
sufficiency
Participation
Integral
human
development
Subsidiarity
&
partnership
Solidarity
Preferential
option for the
poor CORE
VALUES
Social
Justice
Gender
Equity
Human
dignity

3. We strive to enhance and uphold the dignity of the human person at all times. We are guided by what impact
our actions have on the dignity of the human person. We will also ask how the dignity of all persons is
realised and expressed in social and economic structures.
 Human dignity; God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female,
he created them (Genesis 1: 27). Human persons are not objects; they are subjects that collaborate in the
further work of creation.
 The poor - or more precisely those who suffer from poverty - should not be objects of pity but subjects of
their self development.
Dignity of the
human
person

4. Through the inherent dignity of every person, Caritas acknowledge the equality of women
and men.
Women and men make their unique contribution to our world, giving full realisation to that
which is fully human.
In our Caritas organisations, partnerships and all our works, including decision-making, we
commit ourselves to ensuring the full participation of women.
Where there is an imbalance in the participation of men and women, we are poorer in our
work and our relationships.
Thus, we work with all people regardless of race, sex, religion or politics.
Gender
Equity

5. The Reign of God is built on justice and love. Caritas activities aim to enhance the
empowerment of the poor and transform society into a civilisation of love. The Social
Teaching of the Church urges us to be promoters and facilitators of solidarity, peace and
social justice.
The intrinsic concern of Caritas in Sabah is to see the poorest social groups take charge,
individually or in social solidarity, in developing their human dignity. Caritas listens to
the voice of the voiceless and allows them to speak for themselves.
Social
Justice

6. We have committed ourselves to combating the dehumanising poverty that robs people
of their dignity and humanity.
We are guided by Christian Scripture to work for the liberation of the oppressed and an
equitable sharing of the gifts of the Earth, helping the marginalised be responsible for
their own liberation and development.
We take up the cause of the poor as our own, putting ourselves alongside them.
Preferential
option for the
poor

7. The fruits of solidarity are peace, justice and human development.
Our mission is to enhance solidarity with the poor, among peoples and communities.
Through solidarity we express a firm determination and commitment to the common
good.
Solidarity is the value binding us together in the common vision of establishing a world
where all human beings receive what rightly belongs to them as sons and daughters of
God.
Solidarity is a value inherent in Church organisations, but also shared by many beyond
Church structures.
This enables Caritas to be inclusive and truly Catholic by working with those who share
this vision if perhaps not its Christian faith basis.
Solidarity

8. Caritas works within and beyond the Catholic family seeking justice and the best transformation within society
and the world. The principle focuses on respect for local autonomy for all activities at the local level.
Local services are the first to take action, as they are integrated into local communities. Subsidiarity as self-
determination implies the harmonious cooperation and unity of action, as the people work together for common
mission. It leads to ensure that the State fulfils its Constitutional duties.
Thus, promoting and strengthening national, diocesan and Parish Caritas and returning the rightful ownership of
projects and development processes to local communities are part of the Caritas way of working.
Many Caritas members, also work with other organisations in this same spirit of partnership. In developing
these partnerships, Caritas committees undertake the commitments to work with respect for the values and ethos
inherent in other organisations/Church committees and to set out to those partners the values and principles
underpinning the Caritas vision and approach and indicate any practical implications arising from these.
Subsidiarity & Partnership

9. For Caritas, development is based on a Christian, holistic understanding of what the
human person is, and embraces therefore human, spiritual and economic elements.
We strive to develop the whole person and transform unjust social systems.
Integral human
development

10. Participation is an expression of human dignity and implies shared responsibility for
the human community.
Caritas is committed to development processes that prioritise active participation as
the foundation of a democratic and inclusive society.
Participation

11. Caritas wants to enhance sustainability and self-sufficiency and consciously reduce
unhealthy dependency.
Through our relations, we aim to strengthen the autonomy and capacity of one another
and strengthen the relationship with our own constituency.
Sustainabilit & self-
sufficiency

12. Through cooperation, we act with the marginalised in their cry for justice, human rights,
freedom and reconciliation, working together on long-term commitments.
In addition, through collaboration with organisations based in local communities, we create
bonds of shared values and action that validate a vision of an inclusive and just society.
Inspired by Christian faith, Caritas partners' strength and ingenuity, and the people we serve,
we believe that a better world can and must be achieved for all to enjoy fully by working
together.
Cooperation to
achieve impact

13. Caritas believes that the planet and its resources are entrusted to
humanity and seeks to act in an environmentally responsible manner
as true stewards of creation.
Care for creation

14. Care for
creation
Cooperation
to achieve
impact
Sustainability
& self
sufficiency
Participation
Integral
human
development
Subsidiarity
&
partnership
Solidarity
Preferential
option for the
poor CORE
VALUES
Social
Justice
Gender
Equity
Human
dignity