The Role of the SCBRC...

Since 1997, SCBRC has been assuming different roles according to the emerging needs of the time. At one time SCBRC put more emphasis on relief assistance because the situation dictated it. At other times, SCBRC concentrated on financial support for scholarships of higher studies. The justice and peace department, pastoral and communications departments have marched on steadily but with many problems mainly caused lack of linkages with the partner dioceses and inadequate funding. The development department suffered a major lack of funding during the period of 2005 and 2006 but was saved by the SOA-12, 2005 emergency funding. The HIV and AIDS has been the most steady of all the departments.

It can be stated that SCBRC has not yet consciously developed a unifying role so that it can be of assistance to the dioceses. The structure of departmentalization needs to be re-examined and a more team approach arrangement be put forward for effective capacity building in the dioceses. Despite all the constraints and challenges, SCBRC has worked tirelessly to correct the many managerial and financial mistakes it had inherited from 2002 to 2005. Credit must be given to the SCBRC Accompannier/ Advisor who has injected many ideas on institutional and financial control to all the departments. In 2006, through the emergency program experiences, SCBRC is now shaping its role into the following aspects:

1. developing effective working relationship and partnerships with the dioceses;
2. playing the role of creating and establishing relevant linkages, sharing experiences and information with dioceses and also availing platforms for inter-diocesan round-table discussions;

3. advocating and lobbying for the support of church programs in dioceses by the Caritas Family and CIDSE;

4. offering chances for the training of diocesan staff; and

5. assisting dioceses to develop partnerships with relevant NGO’S and CBO;