Identity - Goals - Aims

IDENTITY
Associations, Federations of Movements of AC
(under this or another name)

  • This particular form of group apostolate, whose identity and mission have been reproposed by the Ecumenical Council Vatican II itself (cf. Lumen Gentium 33.3; Ad Gentes 15.9 and especially Apostolicam Actuositatem 20.2 and 20.4) and by the constant teachings of the Roman Popes and the Bishops (cf. most recently Christifideles laici 31.3) is still alive and functioning in many countries on the various continents. This fact was also confirmed by the work and by the final documents of the Synod of Bishops in October 1987.

GOALS

  • to be a place where concern and solidarity for the Catholic Action of different countries, regions and continents can find expression;
  • to analyse the worldwide dimension of the great problems that contemporary society poses to the Church and to Catholic Action;
  • to animate and promote the "new evangelization" with respect for the different pastoral contexts and the different methods of organization of each Catholic Action.

AIMS

a) to encourage reciprocal understanding among Associations and Federations of Movements of Catholic Action in the different countries;

b) to promote initiatives aimed at supporting and developing the specific service which the Associations and Federations of Movements of Catholic Action are called upon to provide. This service remains consistent with the identity of Catholic Action but varies in the methods and forms requAired by the different cultural, social and ecclesial contexts in which they are operating;

c) to promote initiatives aimed at a deeper understanding of the problems which affect the life and the mission of the Church on a global, continental or regional level;

d) to establish dialogue and cooperation with all lay apostolate organizations with a special attention to those International Catholic Organizations already recognised;

e) to represent the Associations and the Federations of Movements of Catholic Action belonging to the Forum with the Pontificium Consilium pro Laicis and other organs of the Holy See;

f) to represent the Associations and the Federations of Movements of Catholic Action belonging to the Forum with the civil International Organizations, respecting the ecclesial nature of the Forum and inside its goals.