Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Macao (Agenzia Fides) – Caritas Macau launches "hotline" for the disabled, sick, and elderly and all people who are in need, to make their service to the needy more rapid and efficient. The members od Caritas then visit the homes of the people who have called the hotline number. According to information gathered by Fides, sometimes the Caritas workers even accompany the Buddhist faithful in need, to their temple for worship. According to head of Caritas Macau, "our service is to make life better for these people, helping provide them with a social life. So, we try to meet their needs. When necessary, we are also in close contact with their relatives, collecting their information in a database, in order to better serve them.”
In 1950, Jesuit Father Luis Ruiz, of Spanish origin, founded the "Matteo Ricci Social Center," taking advantage of a school in the Diocese of Macau, to help refugees. In 1960, given the changed situation, the beneficiaries of the service became the elderly. In 1971, the "Matteo Ricci Social Center" was officially recognized as a body of the Diocese of Macau, under the name Caritas Macau and became a member of Caritas Internationalis. Since that time, the commitment has multiplied by a greater openness to social needs. In 1990, thanks to restructuring, Caritas Macau has been even better organized, with the specific aim of "serving those in need." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 12/03/2010)
