The National Catholic Laity Council-Ghana (NCLC) has reminded Catholic lay faithful that faith without charity is incomplete, as the Church prepares to mark its maiden Caritas Week.
In a pastoral appeal for the observance of Caritas Week 2026, the Council said Caritas is not merely another organisation of the Church, but a practical expression of its mission of charity, compassion, solidarity and service to humanity, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised.
The statement, signed by National Chairman Sir John Kofi Tandoh, KSG, quoted Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
According to the NCLC, the Bishops, by instituting the annual observance, have provided Catholics with another opportunity to demonstrate that the Catholic Church in Ghana is not only a worshipping community but also a caring, compassionate and socially responsible family.
“As Catholic lay faithful, we cannot profess our love for Christ while remaining indifferent to the suffering of our brothers and sisters. Our faith must be translated into concrete acts of charity, and our generosity must become a visible testimony of our Christian discipleship,” the statement said.
The Council stressed that Caritas Week must not become just another annual event on the Church calendar, but a renewed commitment to making charity an essential part of Christian identity and everyday life.
It urged the faithful to use meetings, parish announcements, social media, family gatherings and other channels to spread the message and make the maiden Caritas Week a resounding success.
The celebration runs from November 8 to 15, 2026, with a National Collection on November 15, the World Day of the Poor.
By Robert Dela Mawuenyegah
