Caritas directors planning for a compassionate 2026
National
Caritas Australia’s diocesan directors met in Sydney last week for their annual gathering, a three-day event focused on strengthening local partnerships, discussing humanitarian action and preparing for Project Compassion 2026.
Appointed in partnership with their local archbishop or bishop, diocesan directors help animate the vision and mission of Caritas Australia at community level by building relationships, promoting education, leading fundraising and advocacy efforts and connecting with Catholic schools, parishes and the wider Catholic community.
Caritas Australia chief executive Kirsten Sayers said that in today’s turbulent world, the role of diocesan directors has never been more important.
“Through our diocesan directors, we have localised relationships with communities in every corner of the country,” she said. “You are the eyes, ears, hands and feet of Caritas Australia, building bridges between Australian communities and those in need overseas.”
The program featured sessions on safeguarding, ethical storytelling, ecological conversion and building resilient communities, alongside opportunities for collaboration and renewal.
Leaders from Caritas Australia’s programs and fundraising teams joined diocesan directors to explore strategies for deepening engagement with parishes and schools.
The gathering was graced by Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Danny Meagher, who shared reflections on Catholic Social Teaching and led the celebration of the Eucharist.
Caritas Diocesan director (Adelaide) Karen de Sousa, who took up her role earlier this year, said the gathering was an “uplifting and amazing” few days. Many Caritas employees work in isolation across the country and to get together as a group was a first-class opportunity to support each other, and in particular several new staff.
“It was also great learning for Project Compassion next year and finding out different ways of doing things,” she said.
The Caritas Project Compassion launch will be held at St Francis de Sales school in Mount Barker on Shrove Tuesday 2026 (February 17).
