Article 1: Name, Character and Headquarters

The International Catholic Union of the Press (abbreviated UCIP) is an international private association of the faithful with juridical personality, recognised by the Holy See, according to Can 298-311 and Can 321-329 of the Code of Canon Law.

From the civil viewpoint, the Organisation acts in conformity with the Swiss Civil Code (Article 60). UCIP is an international, non-governmental, and autonomous world forum of professionals and institutions in the field of religious and secular media. It is a non-profit Organisation for public benefit, general interest and universal welfare. It has been established with no time limit on its existence.

The Organisation should collaborate regularly with the Vatican Secretary of State on what concerns the presence and activity of international Organisations (cf. Const. Ap. Pastor Bonus, art. 41, 2). The Organisation also maintains regular contacts with the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, the Holy See's Council interested in communications (cf. Const. Ap. Pastor Bonus, art. 170 § 3).

The headquarters of the Organisation is at Geneva in Switzerland. It can be transferred to another city in Switzerland or to any other country by the decision of a general assembly taken by a majority of two-thirds of all the votes.

Article 2: Objectives

The Organisation has the following objectives: (a) Spread the teaching of the Church through social communications; (b) Favour ethical reflection and research; (c) Support and co-ordinate activities of members, emphasising fellowship and mutual exchange; (d) Represent high-level and high-standard journalism and media production among international institutions and organisations; (e) Organise congresses to stimulate collegiality, dialogue, study and reflection among members on timely themes, to witness to human values in journalism and in all the media and to foster the exchange of professional information and experience. (f) Encourage the presence and support the action of professionals in the sectors of information and communication in all its forms; (g) Promote the development of journalism and media production in all countries in a spirit of solidarity; (h) Take all possible initiatives for the human and Christian formation of media professionals especially in the field of ethics; (i) Promote and defend the right to information and freedom of opinion, especially by supporting threatened journalists in the exercise of their profession.

In order to achieve these goals, the Organisation can collaborate with other international and professional organisations. It has the right to create all forms of organisation, services, societies, committees, commissions, carry out all juridical acts, acquire goods both movable and immovable, and in general exercise all the necessary means for the realisation of its objectives.

Article 3: Members

Journalists, publishers, professors of journalism and communication, newspapers and other publications, news agencies, publishing houses, journalism institutes, all media and journalism professionals, media enterprises, and initiatives from all types of media representing all the cultures across the globe are entitled to become members of the Organisation.

There are three types of membership: ordinary, associate, and honorary. Each of them has two categories of affiliation: individual and institutional.

Ordinary members have the right to vote according to the voting rules adopted by the general assembly. Associate members can participate in all activities of the Organisation. Associate members and non-Catholics may not hold administrative positions and have no right to vote.

Ordinary members can present proposals for the nomination of honorary members. Ordinary and associate members both individual and institutional who have been regular participants in the general assemblies for a period of 10 years can be named honorary members for their exemplary initiatives in the development of the organization. The general assembly can name honorary members from media personalities, known for their services in favour of the development of communications, freedom of the press, formation of media professionals or pastoral communication. Honorary members who are not paying members have the right to participate in the general assembly as observers.

By becoming members of the Organisation, all individuals and institutions accept these statutes and their related documents. Members can organise themselves in regions, federations, networks or other groups.  

Membership is acquired upon receipt of the statutory membership fee at the general secretariat. Every member has the right to leave the Organisation by presenting his/her/its resignation. Resigned members must pay membership fees for their years of membership, until 31 December of the year of resignation. Membership is non-transferable and not inherited. Resigned members and the heirs of deceased members have no rights in the Organisation.

Article 4: Financing

The Organisation is financed by membership fees, contributions, donations and inheritances, which it can freely accept or refuse, and by the fruits and revenues of the goods whose owner is the Organisation. The debts of the Organisation are guaranteed only by its current assets. Its members, even those who participate in its administration, are exonerated from all personal and professional responsibilities when it comes to social and financial commitments.

Article 5: General Assembly

The general assembly is composed of all those who have the right to vote. The ordinary general assembly meets once a year. The president and the secretary general convoke it at least six months in advance. Former presidents, vice presidents, secretaries general, treasurers and ecclesiastical advisers are invited to the general assembly. The following are under the exclusive competence of the general assembly among others: a) Approval of statutes and their amendments; b) Fixing membership fees and defining the right to vote; c) Elections of the president, two vice presidents, the secretary general, treasurer and the ecclesiastical adviser; d) Designation of an auditing firm; e) Acceptance of accounts, annual reports; f) Admission or exclusion of members; g) Admission or exclusion of regions, federations and networks; h) Nomination of honorary members.

Article 6: Board

The board meets at least once a year. It is composed of the president, two vice presidents, the secretary general, the treasurer, the ecclesiastical adviser, the presidents of regions, federations and networks. In the absence of the president of a federation, region or network, the board nominates a representative. The president and secretary general convoke the board. The following are under the competence of the board: a) Preparation of the general assembly; b) Programme of activities c) Nominating the Organisation’s delegates; d) Nomination of presidents or co-ordinators of the International Life Commission, of the International Network of Young Journalists, or other groups; e) Creation of commissions and committees.

Article 7: Presidency

The presidency meets as often as necessary. It is composed of the president, two vice presidents, the secretary general, the treasurer and the ecclesiastical adviser. It is convoked by the president and the secretary general. The following are under the competence of the Presidency: a) Juridical representation of the Organisation; b) Other tasks entrusted to it by the council and general assembly.

Article 8: General Secretariat

The general secretariat is directed by the secretary general who appoints the general secretariat team. It elaborates programmes, takes care of everyday affairs, and prepares the minutes of the general assembly and board meetings. It prepares the annual report of activities and the financial report together with the treasurer and auditors.

Article 9: President, Vice Presidents, Secretary General and Treasurer

The president, vice-presidents, secretary general and treasurer are elected by the general assembly. At the time of election or re-election, they are members at least for the last five consecutive years, professionals, active, less than 65 years of age, and recognised for their contribution to the development of the Organisation.

The president and two vice-presidents should represent three different continents. The elections of the vice presidents, the secretary general and the treasurer are held by the general assembly of the year following the election of the president. In case of the resignation or incapacity of the president, the senior vice-president becomes president until the following general assembly.

Article 10: Ecclesiastical Adviser

Only a priest can be nominated to this office. At the time of the election he is member at the least for the last five consecutive years, professional, active, less than 75 years of age and recognised for his contribution to the development of the Organisation. The candidates for the election of this office should have obtained the permission of their Ordinary in advance. The mandate of the ecclesiastical adviser needs the approval of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (cf. CIC, c.324 § 2).

Article 11: Regions, Federations and Networks

A region is an association of members on a geographical level. A federation is an organisation of members on a professional level. A network is a movement or an activity with precise objectives and for a limited duration or directed to an age group. All regions, federations and networks function in conformity with the statutes of the Organisation.

The presidents of regions, federations and networks are elected by the members concerned by a simple majority. The president of the region should possess the nationality of one of the countries of the region and reside in the region. If a president resides temporarily or permanently outside the region for more than six months, his or her election becomes automatically invalid.

Article 12: Decisions and Elections

The general assembly, the board and the presidency take decisions by simple majority, except on the question of moving headquarters (article 1) and the dissolution of the Organisation (article 14).

All meetings are validly constituted if the 50 per cent plus one of those ordinary members who must be summoned is present. In case of a tie, the vote of the president prevails. Voting by proxy is permitted.

All mandates are for three years and can be renewed; except those of the president, vice presidents and ecclesiastical adviser, which are renewed only once.  The mandates of the president and vice-presidents begin immediately after election. The mandates of the secretary general and treasurer begin on 1st January following the election.

The nomination of candidates for president, vice-presidents, secretary general, treasurer and ecclesiastical adviser must be made to the general secretariat at least three months before the election. Only members can be elected and one member may not exercise two mandates at the same time. The clergy and religious are not eligible to the offices of president and vice-president of the Organisation.

Article 13: Representatives

The Organisation's representatives are based preferably in the same cities or towns or its neighbourhoods where the international organisation has its offices (New York, Geneva, Vienna, Paris, etc.); are capable of promoting the Organisation's objectives and ideals at international organisations and have a good knowledge of the Organisation, its activities, documents and events. They find opportunities for joint ventures with the international organization, with its financial participation and submit a report annually to the general assembly. The delegates are invited to the general assembly and board meetings.

Article 14: Dissolution

The Organisation is dissolved when its objectives can no longer be realised. The dissolution can be decided, after consultation with the Pontifical Council of Laity, by the general assembly by a two-thirds majority of all the votes.

In case of dissolution, the assets are not shared by the members, but given after the decision of the general assembly to non-profit making ecclesiastical institution or institutions, which pursue similar objectives. If there is a need for liquidation, the general assembly appoints two members with all the necessary powers to be in charge of liquidation.

Article 15: Interpretation, Explanation and Addition

All decisions, elections, mandates and extensions not in conformity with the statutes are invalid with immediate effect. All interpretation, explanation or addition to the statutes is made in conformity with Canon Law. All modification needs the approbation of the general assembly and the Pontifical Council for the Laity.