CAFOD Director Chris Bain speaking to Kamala and her daughter, Asmita. Kamala lost her son, two daughters and her mother when a devastating earthquake hit Nepal in 2015.
Chris Bain, 64, will retire in December 2018 after 15 years as the Director of CAFOD.
Chris said, “I am proud and humbled to have been part of the life-changing work of CAFOD for the last 15 years. CAFOD’s sense of mission and purpose has never been stronger. We are in sound financial health and have a wealth of talent in our dedicated staff and volunteers.”
“Sustainable development, supporting the poorest communities across the world to live life to the fullest, remains at CAFOD’s heart.
“In the many times I have witnessed CAFOD’s work overseas, the results of our local intervention are clear – children attending school, farms flourishing and women taking the lead in their communities,” he said.
Witnessing the impact of long-term development
Chris Bain has visited our humanitarian, long-term development and climate change work around the world, seeing how as part of a global network of Catholic agencies we have been able to respond quickly and effectively to events like Typhoon Haiyan or the Nepal earthquakes.
“These achievements have been possible because CAFOD is held fondly in the hearts of the Catholic community in England and Wales, who trust us to work alongside the poor on their behalf” said Chris.
“We are blessed by their support and I say thank you to so many who have given generously their gifts, time and prayers.”
Long service
Bishop John Arnold, Chair of CAFOD’s Board of Trustees, said:
“Chris has led CAFOD through great successes in challenging times. He leaves CAFOD having provided a clear directional purpose and strong sense of mission.
“On behalf of the Trustees, we thank him for his service in leading CAFOD as an evangelising witness of the Church, proclaiming the Gospel through action.”