The Collaboration between the Catholic Caritas and Government Agencies in Preventing Disasters

Abstract

The Second Vatican Council brought significant new features in the theoretical foundation of the relationship between the state and the Church. Although pre-council social encyclicals also discussed the common good, which was the main focus of the goals of the state and the Church, there was little discussion on how the two entities would work together to achieve the common good. The Second Vatican Council and subsequent social encyclicals have left no doubt that the Catholic Church and its organisations are open to working with the state and state organisations to alleviate all human famine, whether regional or global, the results of human activity or natural disasters, or require national or even international cooperation. The Pastoral Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes discusses the aspects of the common good (Article 26, 30, 42, 43, 59). Regarding the joint action of the state and the Church, Article 26 of the Constitution summarises it well: “With great respect, therefore, this council regards all the true, good and just elements inherent in the immense variety of institutions which the human race has established for itself and constantly continues to establish.”