About Us

Introduction

The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman rendered service to the people in Christian Social Formation and in Charitable and Welfare Works through Caritas Portuguesa till 1961. The historic events in December, 1961 resulted in the departure of the Portuguese.

Always sensitive to the needs of God’s children and committed to their holistic welfare, the then Archbishop-Patriarch, Don Jose Vieira Alvernaz immediately established Caritas Goa and constituted a Commission on 3rd January 1962 through Portaria No.2-62 , comprising:

Mons. Dr. Raul Nicolau Gonsalves

Fr. Gilberto Jose Salvador Ribeiro

Fr. Alberto Caetano Santana Pompeia Luis as Members.

The Commission office was housed in the Paco Patriarcal, Panjim in the area now occupied by Seccao das Confrarias. Fr. Gilberto was the Secretary of the Commission. The welfare work and education of children continued with little interruption, despite the prevailing circumstances. The Commission office, Saligao Seminary and Lar dos Estudantes were the storage and distribution Centres for food and other material sent by the Catholic Relief Services. Fr. Joao Pedro Fernandes, although not a Member of the Commission, was very much involved in the work. When Archbishop-Patriarch Alvernaz left Goa in March 1962, Mons. Francisco Xavier da Piedade Rebelo was put in Charge of the Archdiocese.

Mons. Raul Gonsalves undertook the responsibility with the other members, of locating and rendering all possible assistance. The Papal Nuncio, Cardinal Knox visited Goa often.

Following the sudden demise of Fr. Gilberto Ribeiro on 19th July 1969, Fr. Cirilo Pascoal Pereira S. F. X. was appointed Director of Caritas Goa vide Portaria No.93-69 of 19th August 1969. Fr. Pereira expanded the activities of the Centre to meet the growing needs of the Disabled and the Poor. The Relief work was expanded to giving of Subsidies for Animal Husbandry Projects.

Caritas Goa was registered as a Society under Societies Registration Act 1860 under the Act Sl. No.336 on 8th November 1971 and was established on 18th November 1971.

Msgr. Alberto C.S.P.L. Luis was appointed Director through Portaria No. CP-P/109/79 dated 1st August 1979, to replace Fr. C. Pereira, sfx. Beginning his association as a member of the newly established Caritas Goa in January 1962 and serving till 1964, Msgr. Luis returned to it, at its helm after a gap of fifteen years. As he took charge of the Institution, he dedicated his time and energy to the upliftment of the disadvantaged, neglected and oppressed.

Fr. Valeriano Vaz took over from Msgr. Alberto Luis from 1st June 2001 as the Director of Caritas-Goa and continues to dedicate his time and energy for the upliftment of the maginalized.