Church ministry to create more cooperatives for the poor
Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, has launched a new ministry that aims to encourage parishes to create more cooperatives to help provide livelihood opportunities for the poor as well as for the less-fortunate church workers and volunteers.
Radio Veritas president and Caritas Manila executive director Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual said the Ministry on Cooperatives and Social Enterprises Development (MCSED) aims to fulfill Pope Francis’ vision to establish more church cooperatives and strengthen the existing ones to become more viable in their respective parishes.
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula led the recent launching of the MCSED.
“We need to organize church cooperatives to help strengthen their programs for the poor in a sustainable, inclusive and resilient way. Pope Francis is encouraging us to create more cooperatives since these are non-profit and yet, pro-people and pro-planet,” said Fr. Pascual over Radio Veritas.
“In Metro Manila, we are encouraging the existing cooperatives, especially church cooperatives to solidify and strengthen their programs including those that are related to education, leadership training and management to be able to help the poor and less fortunate more,” the Church leader said.