A ZENIT DAILY DISPATCH
A ZENIT DAILY DISPATCH
International Association of Missionaries of Political Charity
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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