“In a world where religion is often used as a political tool, the work of Caritas demonstrates that faith can still play a vital role in upholding human dignity across borders, through committed action in areas of hardship.” With this motivation, on June 7th, Caritas International was honored with the Human Dignity Award, presented by Nanzan Catholic University of Nagoya. Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo and President of the global Caritas network, accepted the award. In his remarks, he recalled the missionary origins of Caritas, its growth into a network of 162 national offices, and its presence in ongoing humanitarian crises including Gaza, Ukraine, and Myanmar.
Cardinal Kikuchi emphasized that he accepted the award on behalf of all those engaged in the work of Caritas around the world. He noted that this year’s Human Dignity Award does not simply recognize an institution, but rather a mission that, for over seventy years, has reached every continent and touched millions of lives. It is a service that—before being a profession—is above all a vocation, grounded in the conviction that every person, regardless of origin or circumstance, possesses sacred and inviolable dignity.