Established by Students Group
VATICAN CITY, 31 MAY 2006 (ZENIT)Here is the description of the
International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs
which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the
Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
* * *
Official name: International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and
Cultural Affairs
Acronym: ICMICA-Pax Romana
Established: 1947
History: Officially founded in Rome, Pax Romana-ICMICA was established
historically and sociologically by the members of the International
Movement of Catholic Students.
As they completed their studies to join the working world, they were
anxious to perpetuate their apostolic ideals into their adult lives.
They envisaged setting up a Catholic movement for not only graduates but
for culture in general.
ICMICA, with the support of UNESCO, organized the first international
interfaith meeting in the last century. It took place from Christmas to
New Year in 1959-1960 in Manila, Philippines.
It was attended by intellectuals with allegiances to different religions
who debated in a personal capacity on the issue "The Influence of the
Great Religions on the Present Life of Nations in the East and in the
West."
Various members of ICMICA attended the deliberations of the Second
Vatican Council as lay auditors or experts. Recognized by the Holy See
as an international Catholic organization, Pax RomanaICMICA is a member
of the Conference of International Catholic Organizations.
As an NGO it has consultative status with U.N. Economic and Social
Council, UNESCO and the Council of Europe.
Identity: ICMICA is an international network of Catholic professionals
and intellectuals, as individuals or groups and associations, who are
working to establish dialogue between faith and culture for the
evangelization of cultures and for the inculturation of the Gospel in
the world of labor, the family and society.
Redesigning their own life projects in terms of this mission, and
placing their expertise at its service, ICMICA members pursue these
purposes by discerning and critically analyzing dominant thinking and
ideologies, in the light of the faith; committing themselves to the
Church's work of evangelization by bearing witness to, and practicing,
the Gospel values; fostering and defending the rights of individuals and
peoples in a spirit of solidarity with the poor and with minorities;
engaging in interfaith dialogue, to promote not only religious freedom
but also mutual understanding and respect; to study human, social and
ethical issues specific to the artistic, literary and scientific
professions in the light of Catholic morals.
ICMICA offers the international community its intellectual and moral
resources to build and uphold peace founded on justice and on the love
of Christ.
Organization: The supreme governing body of ICMICA is the plenary
assembly, made up of representatives of the constituent member
associations, and is convened every four years to elect the president,
vice presidents, the members of the international council, and the
secretary-general nominated by the latter.
The president, the secretary-general, the treasurer and the
ecclesiastical assistant make up the international team, as the
executive and coordination organ.
At the continental and regional levels, activities are coordinated by
the regional vice presidents and coordinators.
The structure of ICMICA also includes the specialized secretariats which
comprise Christians committed in specific environments. There are
currently five of them: International Secretariat of Christian Artists (SIAC),
International Secretariat of Catholic Secondary School Teachers (SIESC),
International Movement/Secretariat of Catholic Jurists (MIJC/SIJC),
International Secretariat for Scientific Questions (SIQS), and the
International Secretariat for Catholic Engineers, Agronomists and
Industry Officials (SIIAEC).
The working groups on human rights, economy and human development and
ecology assist the international council in implementing the decisions
adopted by the plenary assembly.
Membership of ICMCA is open to constituent members (Catholic
professional organizations recognized by the Church hierarchy),
corresponding members and individual members.
Membership: ICMCA has more than 58,000 members in organizations present
in 51 countries.
Publications: Pax Romana E-Update, a monthly online newsletter;
Convergence, published six-monthly
Web site: www.paxromana.org
Headquarters:
Pax Romana MIIC/ICMICA
C.P. 315
15, Rue du Grand-Bureau
1211 Geneve 24 - Switzerland
Tel. (41) 22.823.0707
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Fax 22.823.0708
E-mail: miicmica@paxromana.int.ch
© Copyright 2006
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Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
ZE06053124
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