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Versione disponibile solo in Inglese Revised by the AMI Executive Council in March 2013 and approved by the AMI General Assembly in September 2014. Preamble The Apostolat Militaire International (AMI) has been active since 1965, uniting Christians from many different countries and examining how the profound message of peace and universal human kinship that the Church offers might best be advanced by Christians serving in the armed forces of the world. Article 1: Name, seat and character 1.1 The Apostolat Militaire International (AMI) is an international private association of the faithful with juridical personality, in the sense of canons 298-311 and 321-329 of the Code of Canon Law. It comprises military associations and organizations who act in the spirit of the decree of the Second Vatican Council on the lay apostolate Apostolicam actuositatem, taking into account the special conditions in each country where AMI is represented. 1.2 The seat of AMI is in the Netherlands. The competent ecclesiastical authority for AMI is the Pontifical Council for the Laity, representing the Holy See. 1.3 The working language of AMI is English. Article 2: Purpose The purposes of AMI are:
In the pursuance of these objectives, AMI shall make use of:
Article 3: Financial Means AMI collects funds through:
Article 4: Membership 4.1 Associations and organizations wishing to become members of AMI shall submit to the General Secretariat their application together with a testimonial issued by the Church authority to which they are responsible and copies of their statutes, standing order and statements of purpose. The next General Assembly will decide on the acceptance of an applicant. 4.2 Whenever an organization or a group of organizations of a country does not meet the criteria required for membership as stipulated in article 4.1 of the Statutes, they shall be regarded as associated members that take part in activities but do not bear responsibilities and do not have the right to vote. 4.3 From each member organization an annual contribution will be levied which is payable to the Secretariat General. At every General Assembly meeting, a standard rate for the contribution will be established. The active member organisations, and if possible also the associated member organisations, will take this standard rate as a basis for their actual contribution, making allowance for their financial means. 4.4 Member organisations that no longer respect these statutes shall forfeit their AMI membership. Formal expulsion of members is decided by the General Assembly. 4.5 Subject to decision by the Executive Council, organizations and persons, including non-Roman Catholics, may participate in AMI activities as observers. Article 5: the general Assembly 5.1 The General Assembly is the supreme representative organ of AMI. The General Assembly comprises the Executive Council and the delegations of all the countries and military organizations that are members of AMI. 5.2 The General Assembly shall convene annually. The Executive Council shall initiate an extraordinary meeting, when two thirds of the members so request. 5.3 The General Assembly is composed of one delegation for each country, which is appointed by the respective member organizations of the AMI in accordance with their own statutes. Each delegation comprises a maximum of four delegates and has one vote. In addition, experts and observers may be admitted with the consent of the Executive Council and of the country organizing the meeting. 5.4 The General Assembly shall be responsible for taking measures beneficial to and necessary for the existence of the AMI, including:
5.5 The General Assembly shall be convened and chaired by the President, who is supported in his work by the Secretary General and by the head of the host delegation. 5.6 With respect to the procedures and rules for meetings (election of the Executive Council, budget, place and time of meetings, acceptance and any amendments of a Standing Order, etc.) a majority of two thirds of the attending delegations is required. 5.7 If decided by a simple majority, the voting may be by ballot. Article 6: the executive Council 6.1 The Executive Council is the executive organ of AMI. It is responsible as a body for the conduct of general affairs of AMI and the preparation of the international meeting and General Assembly. It shall maintain liaison with AMI members, international organizations and with the Holy See. 6.2 The Executive Council of AMI shall be elected for a threeyear term of office by the General Assembly. It consists of the President, the Secretary General, the Ecclesiastical Assistant and the Treasurer, and their deputies if applicable. During the International Conference and General Assembly, the leader of the Host Nation will participate in the meetings of the Executive Council. 6.3 The President is charged with:
6.4 The Secretary General manages the general affairs of AMI. His sphere of action includes the following concerns:
6.5 The Ecclesiastical Assistant of AMI must be a priest. His duties include:
6.6 The Treasurer is responsible for the following:
6.7 The Executive Committee may decide to lay down the tasks, responsibilities and mandates of its members in a Standing Order, in conformity with Article 10 of these Statutes, pending approval by the General Assembly Article 7: Election of the Executive Council 7.1 In the case of an upcoming election for the Executive Council, national delegations may present candidates for the offices of President or Secretary General to the General Assembly, to be elected in conformity with Article 5 of these Statutes. 7.2 The General Assembly will subsequently elect the Treasurer and the Ecclesiastical Assistant in the same manner. The General Assembly may also elect Deputy council members and/or members for other duties, including non-executive or non-voting members, if this is considered advisable. 7.3 The election of the Ecclesiastical Assistant requires confirmation of election by the Pontifical Council of the Laity. 7.4 The President, the Secretary General, the Ecclesiastical Assistant and the Treasurer are elected for a mandate of 3 years and may be re-elected twice, for a maximum of 9 years. 7.5 Organizations that wish to nominate persons for offices in the Executive Council notify the Secretary General two months before the General Assembly that has such election on its agenda. Article 8: Operations of the Executive Council 8.1 Members of the Executive Council fulfil their tasks on a voluntary basis and do not receive any payment for their efforts. Expenses incurred may be reimbursed. 8.2 After discussion, the Executive Council shall decide on the agenda for the General Assembly and send it to the members at least three months prior to the General Assembly. This agenda must be approved by the attending delegations at the beginning of the General Assembly and, if required, will be supplemented accordingly. 8.3 The Executive Council shall prepare the minutes for the General Assembly, draft the budget and, according to articles 2 and 6.1 of the Statutes, establish permanent relations with the various member organizations. 8.4 In accordance with article 3 of the Statutes, the Secretariat General shall receive applications for membership in the AMI and take all steps required in cases of resignation or of dismissal. 8.5 The Executive Council shall report of its activities to the General Assembly. As required, but at least bi-annually, the Secretariat General shall issue a circular to the member organizations and to the friends of the AMI. Among other things, such circulars shall include:
8.6 The Executive Council shall determine for itself the procedures required for routine business. Article 9: Amendment of statutes These statutes shall be amended only by a two-thirds majority of all AMI members. The Pontifical Council for the Laity must approve any amendment to the Statutes. Article 10: Dissolution of AMI 10.1 Before submitting the resolution of dissolution to voting, the Pontifical Council for the Laity has to give its assent. 10.2 The decision to dissolve the AMI can only be taken during an ordinary or extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly, which has to be called for this purpose at least three month before the date of the meeting. At least 50% of the full members must be present or represented at this meeting. Members not able to attend may vote by proxy if they have authorized in writing a member present. 10.3 The decision to dissolve the Association requires a three fourth majority of the present full members. In case there is no quorum because 50% of the full members are not present or not properly represented, a second meeting must be convened within a period of three months. The second meeting is a quorum regardless of the number of full members present. 10.4 In case of dissolution, all AMI assets, both, funds and materials, are to be given to catholic organisations, recognised by the Holy See. The General Assembly deciding dissolution must ensure that all funds are given to the Holy See’s, “Foundation Pius XII” and all materials to organisations that are active or associate members of AMI. Article 11: Standing Orders A more detailed description of matters such as procedures, tasks of the members of the Executive Council, etc., may be laid down in a Standing Order, which is subject to the approval of the General Assembly by two-thirds majority. Article 12: Concluding statement In all matters not provided for by these Statutes or by Standing Order approved by the General Assembly, the Executive Council may take provisional steps pending the decision of the General Assembly. |
