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Encouraged by Cardinal Bea in 1960
VATICAN CITY, 11 SEPT. 2006 (ZENIT) Here is the description of the
World Organization of Former Pupils of Catholic Education which appears
in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful,
published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
* * *
Official name: World Organization of Former Pupils of Catholic
Education
Acronym: OMAEC (Organisation Mondiale des Anciens et Anciennes Élèves de
l'Enseignement Catholique)
Established: 1967
History: The idea of setting up associations of former pupils of
Catholic schools
—
some of which date back to the end of the 19th century
—
came about in 1960 at the Eucharistic Congress in Munich, Germany,
presided over by Cardinal Agostino Bea. He encouraged the delegates of
the European former pupils of Jesuit schools to organize themselves in
order to give a more institutional form to their witnessing to Christ.
The representatives of the existing groups created a Commission of
International Understanding and Study which, in 1967, led to the
foundation of the world Organization of Former Pupils and Teachers of
Catholic Education.
Recognized by the Holy See as an international Catholic organization,
OMAEC is a member of the Conference of ICOs.
It is linked by a protocol of understanding with the Catholic
International Education Office. In its capacity as a nongovernmental
organization, OMAEC has consultative status with the U.N. Economic and
Social Council, UNICEF, the International Labor Organization, the Food
and Agriculture Organization, and operational status with UNESCO.
Identity: The priority objectives of OMAEC are to support the Catholic
school in its commitment to providing a comprehensive education for the
human person and the dissemination of a culture inspired by Christian
principles.
The former pupils, which OMAEC represents at the international
organizations, are called to cooperate in the pursuit of its purposes by
service to the Church, which means a social commitment imbued with the
principles that inspired the education they have received.
Organization: OMAEC is officially governed by the General Assembly,
which meets every three years, coinciding with a congress convened to
study specific issues; the Executive Committee, and the Executive
Council, made up of the delegates of the member organizations, whose
meetings are attended by a representative of the Youth Commission
established by the organization in 1987.
The member organizations can also establish continental unions (there
are two at the present time: Unaec for Europe, and Ulaec for Latin
America and the Caribbean).
Membership: OMAEC comprises 11 international organizations, 12 national
organizations, and two continental unions, to which about 150 million
people refer worldwide, some from other denominations, who have received
their education at Catholic schools.
Publications: Nouvelles OMAAEEC, a half-yearly newsletter
The member organizations have their own publications (for example
Confederex, published by the Italian Association, and Cofaec, published
by the French Association)
Headquarters
Organisation Mondiale des Anciens et Anciennes Élèves de l'Enseignement
Catholique
c/o Pontificio Istituto Pio IX
Via Cavalieri del Santo Sepolcro, 1
00193 Roma
—
Italy
E-mail: secretar@omaaeec.org
© Copyright 2006
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Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
ZE06091122
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