OFFICIAL NAME
International Federation of Catholic Associations of the Blind
ACRONYM
FIDACA (Fédération Internationale des Associations Catholiques d’Aveugles)
ESTABLISHED
1981
HISTORY
FIDACA was founded in the 1980s in Landschlacht, Switzerland, by Catholic national associations of the Blind in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. It was recognised by the Holy See as an International Catholic Organisation in 1988, and is a member of the Conference of ICOs, and the World Blind Union.
IDENTITY
FIDACA, comprises national associations of the Blind, for blind and seriously visually impaired people, and promotes the human, spiritual, cultural and social advancement of blind people; it promotes the participation of the Blind in the life and mission of the Church by testimony and the propagation of the Gospel; it creates and develops organisations for the Blind in conjunction with diocesan and national chaplaincies in different countries; it provides education in mutual aid between blind people in the developing countries. FIDACA pursues its purposes through meetings, congresses, pilgrimages, publications and work in areas connected with its specific field of action.
ORGANISATION
The organs of FIDACA are the General Assembly, which meets every four years, and is attended by delegates of the national associations; the Executive Board, made up exclusively of delegates of the member associations, which meet every two years; the Executive Committee, made up of the President, three Vice Presidents, the Secretary and Treasurer appointed by the Board, who make up the Executive Committee together with the Ecclesiastical Assistant. Membership of FIDACA is open to national associations of and for the Blind, which adopt the objectives of the Federation and are recognised by the Bishops’ Conference of their own country. Upon recommendation of the local bishop or the Bishops’ Conference having jurisdiction, groups living in countries where no national associations exist may also join FIDACA.
MEMBERSHIP
FIDACA has 17 member associations in 15 countries, as follows: Africa (4), Europe (9), and South America (2).
WEB SITE
HEADQUARTERS
Fédération Internationale des Associations Catholiques d’Aveugles
14, rue Mayet - 75006 Paris - France
Tel. and Fax [+33]1.60894946
Email: secretariat@fidaca.org
