A Catholic organisation has celebrated 90 years of quiet service to the poor in the Middle East, northeast Africa, India and eastern Europe.

Mgr John Kozar, secretary of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, said the agency maintains a low profile because it works through and with the local Church.

"They know best how to represent the face of Christ. We trust their experience, holiness and knowledge about how to govern and care for their people," he said in an interview with Catholic News Service (CNS).