OFFICIAL NAME
International Council of Catholic Men
ACRONYM
FIHC-Unum Omnes (Fédération Internationale des Hommes Catholiques)
ESTABLISHED
1948
HISTORY
Unum Omnes started out as the International Federation of Men’s Associations of Catholic Action, created by the Italian Catholic Action Men’s Union. The constituent assembly in Lourdes in France was attended by delegates from 20 countries from Europe, North America and South America. In 1950 at the first General Assembly, at the request of Pius XII who had approved the plan to set up the Federation and wished to open it up to organisations that were not members of Catholic Action, its name was changed to the "International Council of Catholic Men-Unum Omnes". It is recognised by the Holy See as an International Catholic Organisation and is a member of the Conference of ICOs.
IDENTITY
Unum Omnes brings together national organisations of Catholic men committed to the apostolate and dissemination of the Church’s teachings; it fosters contacts between the member associations in order to encourage mutual familiarity and assistance, and to cooperate in the work of evangelisation; it encourages the establishment of new Catholic men’s organisations; it creates and maintains relations with international organisations sharing the same objectives; it speaks out to public opinion and international organisations on the thinking of Catholic men regarding matters of general interest and concern.
ORGANISATION
The official bodies of Unum Omnes are the General Assembly, which has total authority regarding the management, discipline and control of the Federation; the Council, as the management body comprising the President, Vice President, the General Secretary, the Treasurer and Ecclesiastical Assistant; the Executive Committee, which is responsible for decision-taking and initiatives between General Assemblies, which have to subsequently ratify them. Membership of Unum Omnes is open to national organisations of Catholic men, recognised by the Church authorities, or national associations of men and women, while diocesan Catholic men’s organisations can become associate members.
MEMBERSHIP
Unum Omnes comprises 36 member associations in 36 different countries as follows: Africa (10), Asia (3), Europe (19), North America (1), and South America (3).
PUBLICATIONS
Newsletter, published three times a year.
WEB SITE
HEADQUARTERS
Fédération Internationale des Hommes Catholiques
Palazzo San Calisto - 00120 Vatican City
Tel. and Fax [+39]06.69887382
Email: unum-omnes@libero.it
