Ms. Lesley-Anne Knight was speaking at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss town of Davos, Catholic Culture website reported.
Mr. Knight said economy has been focused on financial mechanisms, profits, and bonuses.
She added that human beings were left out with dire consequences for all, especially the poor.
Ms. Knight also expressed concern at the failure of recent climate-change talks in Copenhagen.
She said the richer nations of the world must provide assistance for developing countries who are bearing the brunt of climate-related disasters.
Caritas Internationalis is the consortium of 164 Catholic national relief agencies that work in over 200 countries around the world.
The World Economic Forum started today in Davos and ends on January 31.