Society Of St Vincent De Paul
The International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) is a charitable organization, Catholic, secular, volunteer-driven, and created in Paris in 1833 by a group of lay Catholics among whom was one who would later beatified by Pope John Paul II : The Blessed Frederic Ozanam.
Summary |
Introduction
Worldwide, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul aims to help the poor to relieve their suffering and promote human dignity and integrity. The Company realizes its projects through the effort of more than 700,000 volunteers in 142 countries, the volunteers involved each year nearly 17 million people in every corner of the world and face all kinds of needs. They participate in humanitarian assistance during natural disasters like the tsunami on December 26, 2004 or during earthquakes or in situations of war and the recent crisis in the Middle East. At the same time, nearly 49,000 conferences provide a permanent service in the world, fighting against all forms of misery and poverty and helping millions of disadvantaged people irrespective of age, gender or religion.
History / Origins
The organization was founded in the church of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont in Paris on 23 April 1833 by a group of seven young scholars, including Frederic Ozanam (1813-1853, (August 22, 1997 beatified by John Paul II ). In 1834, under the influence of Sister Rosalie Rendu , and at the suggestion of Jean-Lon Le Prevost (future founder of the Religious of St. Vincent de Paul), the organization has taken St. Vincent de Paul ( 1581-1660) for pattern, inspired by the thought and work of this saint, known as the "Father of Charity" for his dedication to the poor and unfortunate. Seeing the plight of the poor in Paris, they resolved to take action by creating the Conference of Charity with the support of one of the Daughters of Charity , Sister Rosalie Rendu.
The founders were:
- Antoine Frederic Ozanam (1813-1853)
- Emmanuel Bailly (1794-1861)
- Auguste Le Tallandier (1811-1886)
- Franois Lallier (1814-1887)
- Lamache Paul (1810-1892)
- Felix Clave (1811-1853)
- Jules Devaux (1811-1881)
Mission / Goals
Since its founding, the organization has always been directed solely and exclusively by lay Catholics working with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church but acting independently. This organization is organized and run by volunteers, the vast majority of Catholic laity, who devote part of their time in the Company.
Their actions include several areas in which the most important is personal contact with the most disadvantaged that they help without discrimination of gender, origin, religious beliefs, ethnic or social background, health status, culture or political opinion, these are hosting projects and social assistance, training, education and personal development , the Company carries out health facilities, centers for children and young people, such as schools and training centers professional hospices, centers for single mothers or women in difficulty, as well as centers for the rehabilitation of people imprisoned, institutes for the physically and mentally aid for victims of violence, disasters and wars ; assistance services and support for terminally ill, alcoholics and drug addicts; programs for families in difficulty and it works in reality the various countries where it operates, through actions respecting their traditions and their culture, until the person helped to support herself by herself.
Currently, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is committed, among others, in a campaign aid to Africa : "Programme for Africa which is being prepared is to establish projects in the years 2008 and 2009. To study the needs of each country, a meeting was held in Nairobi ( Kenya ) in February 2007, where each country in which the Company is established in Africa (43 African countries), exposed to the rest of Conferences world needs most dramatic they face. The General President of the Company has sent all over the world in which the Company is, in seeking their economic means of support. He also implored the prayers of all members of the Confederation in the world. A working group was formed at international headquarters in Paris to raise funds from contributors outside the Company.
Structure
It has the Constitution and the Rule of the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, stating the purpose, organization and mission of the latter. Official organs of the Association:
- Basic Groups which have retained the original name of "Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul." Conferences are united in the world by a Rule and Constitution pool and other statutes, specific and tailored to the social and legal circumstances of each country. These basic units are recognized by the General Council of the International Confederation of the Society, which gives them a letter of aggregation. The local conferences meet frequently, every week or every fortnight to plan and discuss their work for the disadvantaged in their local community. Each Conference or Council must have at least a President, elected for a specified period, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer appointed by the elected president, and a spiritual advisor who, in most cases , is a priest of the parish belongs to which the Conference.
- Over the conferences, there is a tiered structure, according to the country, with the Councils (the regional and national geographic areas) who support and coordinate the work of the conferences and social works. Respective members elect the chairmen of all councils and conferences in a democratic manner. They are, at all levels, volunteers. A small team of paid staff supports the majority of national councils / superiors.
- The General Council of the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is constituted by the President General and the presidents of national (higher or similar), who meet in International General Assembly every six years. He also has meetings more focused (as in the International Executive Committee, in representation of most members of the Confederation and those of the Permanent Section which consists of members with specific delegations on behalf of the Confederation) twice a year. The Office of the General Council meets every two months. The General Council shall provide the necessary leadership to national councils and responds to petitions for aid for development projects, which are national councils of the SSVP worldwide.
- The Confederation is part of the Vincentian Family.
The headquarters of the International Confederation is at 6, rue de Londres, 75009 Paris (France). Currently, the President General is the Spaniard, Jos Ramn Daz-Torremocha.
Related articles
External Links
- Official site of the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Site of the Union of French works of St. Vincent de Paul
- Page access to various European sites of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Site of the French federation
- International General Council
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