Main News

ICMICA Global Activities

1. Lay Leadership Training Workshop in Advocacy in Southern Africa - Lusaka, Nov. 7 - 14, 2003

The joint advocacy workshop of ICMICA Africa and IMBISA Justice and Peace Desk took place as scheduled in Lusaka, Zambia from Nov. 7 to 13, 2003. There were about 40 participants from both organisations, including local participants. Please let us know if you need an electronic copy of the final statement. IMBISA stands for Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa.

2. ICO General Assembly - Rome, Nov. 30 to Dec.7, 2003

The 35th General Assembly of the Conference of International Catholic Organizations (CICO) was held in Rome with the theme: "Make Human Society More Humane: Christian Values Leading from Violence to Peace" from Nov. 30 to December 7, 2003. More than 30 ICOs participated in the conference and Pax Romana was represented by Patricio Rod (ICMICA President), Anselmo Lee (ICMICA Secretary General), Kevin Ahern (IMCS President), Mike Deeb, OP (IMCS and IYCS Chaplain) and Lidia Tresalti (MEIC ICMICA-Italy).
During the Assembly, a number of Vatican officials including Cardinal Martino of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Poupard of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Archbishop Foley of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication and Archbishop Rylko of the Pontifical Council for the Laity addressed the ICOs on the theme. On December 3rd the delegates were welcomed in a public audience with Pope John Paul II. In addition to focusing on issues relating to peace, the Assembly also looked at the question of the Canonical Status of ICOs.
Pax Romana took a number of leadership roles in the meeting. On December 4th, Kevin Ahern and Patrico Rod spoke to the Assembly on the internship and advocacy programs of Pax Romana with the United Nations. IMCS also participated actively as a member of the Coordinating Committee of the CICO and as the ICO, chosen to coordinate the youth ICOs in drafting a statement for the World Youth Day in 2005.
As part of the Assembly, the delegates elected nominees for the Coordinating Committee of the CIOC, approved 12 resolutions, and re-elected Ernest Knig as president of the CICO. The Assembly also approved a preliminary document on the future of the CIOC. For more information on the CIOC, please visit http://www.oic-ico.org/.

5. CONGO General Assembly Geneva, Dec. 4 to 6, 2003

The 22nd General Assembly of Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN (CONGO) was held in Geneva from December 4 to 6, 2003. Four simultaneous workshops on human rights, peace and security, sustainable human development and information and communication technology (ICT) were held and there was a round table discussion with the UN High-Level Panel on UN-Civil Society Relations. Pax Romana was represented by Anselmo Lee. Pax Romana’s senior adviser Mr Joseph Rajkumar was invited by CONGO to be a rapporteur of the human rights cluster.

Ms Renate Bloem was reelected as president of CONGO for her second term till 2006, and 20 Board member organizations including Pax Romana were elected. Pax Romana was elected as the organizational vice-president at the first Board meeting on Dec. 6, 2003. Please visit www.ngocongo.org for more detailed information.

4. Christian Forum for Global Solidarity - Mumbai, India Jan. 15, 2004

The Christian Forum for Global Solidarity formerly known as Catholic Social Forum will take place at St Pius College, Mumbai, India on January 15. This Forum is convened jointly with IMCS Asia Pacific in cooperation with the local hosting organizations such as Justice and Peace Commission of Mumbai Archdiocese,IMCS-affiliated federation in India All India Catholic University Federation (AICUF)and ICMICA-affiliated federation in India the Voice of the Professionals. The main objectives and goals of this Forum is to prepare participants for the World Social Forum (WSF) VI, particularly for those who are taking part in the WSF for the first time and to facilitate networking among Catholic social action groups and organizations involved in global justice and peace within the framework of the WSF. About 200 participants are expected to participate in the one day event. Please circulate the attached brochure on the Forum among those who are coming to Mumbai. For more information on World Social Form itself, please visit www.worldsocialforum.org or www.wsfindia.org

5. Human Rights Interns’ Meetings Bangkok and Nairobi

The two regional human rights workshops are going to take place in Bangkok from December 15 to 20, 2003 and in Nairobi from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, 2004. These workshops are expected to bring all former interns who have attended the human rights internship program in Geneva since 1999. Main outcome of the workshops will be a training manual on UN human rights mechanisms and Catholic Social Teachings.

News in Brief

The New Dates of 29th ICMICA Plenary Assembly

Please take note of the new dates of the 29th Plenary Assembly of ICMICA in Warsaw, Poland.

Sad News about Mr Ed. Kirchner

Mr Ed Kirchner, founder and long-time President of Pax Romana/CMICA-USA as well as past international President of Pax Romana, passed away on Oct. 5, 2003 in Ohio at his daughter’s home. His son Mr Joe Kirchner who is ICMICA’s vice-president for North America and Louisa Kirchner, his life-long partner were at his bedside when he passed away. The funeral was held in Stamford Connecticut with interment in Pittsfield Mass. We all remember and miss the great and wonderful man who shared with us his vision, commitment and humour. Once again we convey our heart-felt condolences to his family and we pray for his eternal rest in Christ in peace

Homage Ceremony for Prof. Ramon Sugranyes

A historic event to pay homage to Prof. Ramon Sugranyes de Franc who was the first secretary general of ICMICA (1947- ) and president was held in Barcelona on November 24, 2003. It was attended by hundreds of people including parliamentarians and bishops whom he had been working closely with throughout the decades. Mr Patricio Rode, president of ICMCIA and Josep-Maria Carbonnell, Vice-President for Europe attended the ceremony on behalf of ICMICA. Mr Sugranyes participated in the 2nd Vatican Council on behalf of Pax Romana.