Roots in Project Drawn Up in 1950s
VATICAN CITY, 31 MAY 2006 (ZENIT)Here is the description of the
International Federation of Catholic Parochial Youth Movements which
appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful,
published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
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Official name: International Federation of Catholic Parochial Youth
Movements
Acronym: FIMCAP (Federation Internationale des Mouvements Catholiques
d'Action Paroissiale)
Established: 1962
History: The origins of FIMCAP date back to the 1950s when the leaders
of Catholic youth movements from France, Belgium and the Netherlands
drew up a project in 1959 in Lucerne, Switzerland, to form an
international organization.
The first conference of delegates of the General Parish Youth
Communities was held in Munich, Germany, in the course of the 1960
Eucharistic Congress. In October 1961, eleven youth associations created
FIMCAP, and its institution was formalized at Easter 1962.
In the 1970s the structure of the federation emerged more clearly, and
the first activities began and working programs were planned for
cooperation between the member associations in the form of a
partnership. This was to strengthen the solidarity uniting them, and to
open them up to the world dimension.
Recognized by the Holy See as an international Catholic organization,
FIMCAP is a member of the Conference of International Catholic
Organizations.
Identity: FIMCAP is made up of Catholic parish and non-parish
organizations for young people. The member associations draft and
implement projects to animate groups of young people and children, and
provide them with spiritual direction based on the principles and values
of the Gospel.
The formation pathway offered aims at educating young people and
children to share and work together, and to nurture their awareness of
belonging to a world community. FIMCAP pursues its objectives by
organizing conferences, meetings, holiday camps, and promoting forms of
twinning and exchange schemes between the affiliated associations.
Organization: FIMCAP is managed by the general assembly, made up of the
leaders from all the affiliated associations which meets every three
years with decision-making powers.
It is also managed by the Intercontinental Praesidium, to which the
president, ecclesiastical assistant and the general secretary belong;
the Intercontinental Council, which comprises the Intercontinental
Praesidium, the European Praesidium and the African Praesidium; the
Euroconference, which groups together the leaders of the European
associations and decides on the activities of the European branch, which
the Eurocouncil is responsible for implementing; and the Afroconference,
which groups together the leaders of the African associations and
decides on the activities of the African branch, which the Afrocouncil
is responsible for implementing.
FIMCAP has full members, associate members (non-Catholic Christian
associations working with young people), observers and invited members.
Membership: FIMCAP has 35 member associations in 33 countries.
Publications: Link, a bimonthly newsletter in French and English
Web site: www.fimcap.org
Headquarters:
Federation Internationale des Mouvements Catholiques d'Action
Paroissiale
Kipdorf 30
2000 Antwerpen - Belgium
Tel. (32) 3.231.0795
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Fax 3.232.5162
E-mail: info@fimcap.org
© Copyright 2006
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Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
ZE06053125
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