Promotes Christian Presence in Politics
VATICAN CITY, 25 MAY 2006 (ZENIT)Here is the description of the
International Association of Missionaries of Political Charity, which
appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful,
published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
Official name: International Association of Missionaries of Political
Charity
Established: 1976
History: The International Association of Missionaries of Political
Charity was originally founded in Milan by Alfredo Luciani as European
Christian Social Action, a movement dedicated to the Christian
instruction of citizens most engaged in social and political activities.
Over the years, the realization that it is in charity that a response is
to be found to the challenges presented by the new scenarios in social
and political life, led the association to re-examine, first and
foremost, the need for a Christian presence in the practice of politics.
It changed its name to the present one in 1993 and obtained canonical
recognition from the bishop of Rieti in 1994. On Sept. 27, 1996, the
Pontifical Council for the Laity recognized it as an international
association of the faithful of pontifical right.
Identity: The association seeks to foster justice and love in each
country and in relations between countries; to stimulate dialogue
between different religions' activities (peace education, respect for
the environment, solidarity with the suffering); to apply the social
teaching of the Church in order to contribute to making politics a
transparent workshop of ideas, proposals and projects consistent with
the dignity and the fundamental rights of the person and of peoples, and
their deep-seated and lawful aspirations; to involve the largest
possible number of citizens in political activity and in the choices
that have to be made, according to the criteria of participatory
democracy, so that every community takes responsibility for its own
development and can be self-managed according to the methodology of
freedom and co-responsibility.
Organization: The association is governed by a central body made up of
the president and the bureau elected by the "effective members."
These are lay persons from all states of life called by our Lord to
serve others by undertaking commitments in every area and institution of
the civil community as well as in posts of power and in grass-roots
structures.
In addition to the "effective members," the association also has
honorary members who are distinguished personalities who cooperate with
initiatives; sympathizers who contribute to the development of the
association through personal cooperation and financial contributions,
and supporters who are individuals or legal entities who contribute to
the development and work of the association by providing contributions
that are consistent with its constitutional purposes.
The association also uses the services of spiritual assistants from
various religious congregations to provide consultancy services and
cooperation.
Works: Domus Carità Politica and Istituto Superiore Carità Politica,
which organize meetings and workshops for members of the diplomatic
corps accredited to the Holy See, the International Week on the Church's
social teaching, and the celebration of Political Charity Day on Ash
Wednesday, to guarantee appropriate spiritual and cultural instruction
to those wishing to devote themselves to social and political action,
acting as the forum for drafting guidelines for their practical
operational choices in the light of the Church's teaching.
Publications: Già e non ancora, a magazine published three times a year
Headquarters:
Associazione Internazionale Missionari della Carità Politica
Viale delle Milizie 140
00192 Roma - Italy
Tel. and Fax (39) 063.723.511
E-mail: carpol@tin.it
© Copyright 2006
—
Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
ZE06052518
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