Statuette
Agra Catholic Diocese Samaj Seva Sanstha (ACDSSS) is a non-profit charitable voluntary
organization registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860. The organization is the sister
concern of the Catholic Archdiocese of Agra encompassing 16 districts of U.P and 2 districts of
Rajasthan. Rev. Dr. Albert D’Souza is the patron figure of ACDSSS and arbitrates obligations via
an appointed director at the organization. ACDSSS hails inclusive development and empowerment of
marginalized communities in the four districts of U.P.
Vision
Visualize a humane society based on the values of equality, distributive justice, secularism,
love, brotherhood, peace, respect and dignity.
Mission
To strive for humane society of sustainable development based on the principles of equality,
distributive justice and secularism in solidarity with the marginalized through empowerment
process
Core Values
Dignity of Human persons: We believe in the sacredness and the value of life and the inalienable
right to life of every human being. ACDSSS in all its efforts will promote respect for human
lives irrespective of Religion, Caste, Culture, Gender, Language, Territory or any other
distinction.
Equity: We are aware of the need to be sensitive towards changes of the changing time. Therefore,
our efforts are to ensure indiscriminate participation of men and women eliminating prejudice in
the minds of people.
Justice: We are inspired by the teachings of Catholic Church to believe that every human
being has
the right to express and be heard and treated justly in all situations. We focus our
interventions
to serve justice, fortify human rights and celebrate victories of the marginalized.
Solidarity: We share our firm determination and commitment in establishing a society where
all
receive their due for being children of God by recognizing solidarity among all affinity.
Transparency and Accountability: We recognize transparency and accountability as the
pre-conditions
for being credible. And so we take the responsibility for our openness and loyalty in decision
making, resource utilization and work performance.
Professionalism: In pursuit of quality performance we constantly encourage ourselves to
access
greater capacities because we believe excellence is achieved through professionalism.
Strategy :A process of animation among women and men to become aware, form and organize
into groups and federations and to take actions for integrated, participatory and sustainable
development
History :ACDSSS has its origin after long birth pangs due to charity and welfare
approaches of development. Down through the years, our area in and around Agra witnessed this
'band-aid' development which could not heal the wounds of exploitation, lopsided development and
various discriminations. As a panacea to this age old problems faced by the poorest people, our
pioneers developed a vision for a new Society based on justice, equality and fullness of life
for all. Thus the Agra Catholic Diocese Samaj Seva Sanstha (ACDSSS) came into existence under
the leadership of our pioneers Re. Fr. Ivan OFM Cap, Rev. Fr. Joe Vadakekkara and Rev. Fr.
Thomas K.C and got registered as a Social Service Society in 1993.
From 1994 under the leadership of Most Rev. Dr. Cecil DeSa and Rev. Fr. Vargheese Kunnath - the
then President and Secretary of the organization, the Society initiated an organized way of
social work and started Adult Education and community health education in selected villages in
Agra district. U.K.S.V.K. played a major role in establishing social work in the districts of
Agra, Mathura, Firozabad and Etah. Soon a band of Fatima Sisters joined the Organization. Based
in Agra, the Society made inroads into the lives of broken people who have experienced the
bitterness of exploitation and discrimination at various levels. The dalits and women got
attracted to the vision and mission of ACDSSS and in course of time the seeds of social
transformation began to yield results.
In July 2002 Rev. Fr. Alwyn Pinto (MSW) became the Director of ACDSSS and played a major role in
establishing the systems of the organization
Slowly the organization took roots in the rich soil of Mathura, Etah, Kasgang, Firozabad
districts. We adopted villages for integrated development. Since 1998, people's organization
became the major thrust of the organization where we focused on building 'social capital' and
thereby the participation of people in development actions. All the principles of animation were
followed in the formation of groups. With the help of many capacity building exercises, we could
elicit the collaboration of many more in the activities.
In July 2008 Rev. Fr. Vinoy P.M (MSW) Joined ACDSSS and became the Direct from July 2009 to
continue the developmental works for the poor and marginalized sections of the society. The role
of ACDSSS now is that of a co-worker and companion. In all the development actions, right from
planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, the policy of 'people first' has been
followed. Now we participate in their programs whereby we make ourselves available according to
the convenience of the people - day or night, winter or summer, rain or drought.
2017 July Rev. Fr.Vinoy P.M was transferred and Rev. Fr.Shibu Kuriakose took over the charge of
ACDSSS’s director and continues the mission of enhancing people’s life.
ACDSSS has evolved into sharing the benefits of inclusive development fueled by
participatory decision making over the years. Inclusive development is that includes
everybody especially the marginalized and the discriminated. Those living in rural or remote
areas or urban slums often do not benefit from developmental initiatives. And therefore we
in our participatory efforts try to address the concerns of women, children, adolescents,
differently abled and farmers through our interventions. During the past years, we have
developed a strong resource base for capacity building of various stakeholders across four of
our intervention districts
Organizational Structure
Coverage
The operational areas of the organization are Firozabad, Tundla, Kasganj, Mathura, Khandauli,
Fathehabad and Shamshabad blocks of Agra district. Over all we have adopted above 150 villages.
We also work for the children with disabilities of Missionaries of charity Agra
In these areas major population falls under the category of below poverty line (BPL) and
constitutes of SC and backward class people. In these areas even the basic amenities of the life
is not available and people are being suppressed for long years.
Since 1993 organization has been intervening and putting tremendous effort for the upliftment of
these downtrodden people of the society and following the policy of philanthropist.
Administration
Most Rev. Dr. Albert D'Souza
ArchBishop of Agra
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Name
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Most Rev. Dr. Albert D’Souza
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Birth
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August 4th, Mangalore, St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle
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Parents
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Emmanuel D’Souza & Magdalene Cardoza
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Minor Seminary
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St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Lucknow 1965-68
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Philosophy & theology
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St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Allahabad 1970 -74
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Ordained Priest
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December 8th 1974 (for the Diocese of Lucknow)
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Doctorate
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Angelicum University, Rome (1984-88)
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Consecrated as Bishop of Lucknow
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February 7th, 1993
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Installed as Archbishop of Agra
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April 11th, 2007
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Offices Held
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Till Jan 2011 – Chairman of the Commission for Vocations, Seminaries,
Clergy and Religious. From 2010 Secretary General, CBCI, till date. From 2011
continues to be the member of the Commission for Vocations, Seminaries, Clergy
and Religious. Represents India at FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops’
Conference) in various Capacities.
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