Friday, April 08, 2011

International Catholic Press Union (UCIP) loses the identification “Catholic"

The Vatican has demanded that “l’Union catholique internationale de la presse” (UCIP) strike the adjective “Catholic” from its name.

The beleaguered general secretary of the union, Joseph Chittilappilly, wishes to engage the competent authorities in conversation, he stated to press agency Kipa on Thursday.

The president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, addressed the UCIP in a letter dated March 23rd which Kipa has seen. 

The Pontifical Council for the Laity has responsibility over the UCIP and for some time has called for a change in the leadership of the union.

In Chittilappilly’s view, the letter from the Vatican does not change anything for the time being. 

The communication gives one view of the matter. A response is in preparation and will be addressed also to other Vatican authorities. There is “false information” in the cardinal’s letter.

Cardinal Rylko expressed his bewilderment that Bernhard Sassmann, president of the UCIP, delegated his office of leadership to the general secretary. 

Furthermore, the UCIP had declined to discuss the issues which the clergyman advisor of the UCIP, Italian Franco Mazza, wished to raise at the last world congress in Ouagadougou. 

At that time Mazza stated to Kipa that one point important to the Vatican was not included in the minutes of the assembly – namely, the discussion on the role of the general secretary, the only paid member of the executive committee.

Nontransparent finances and do-nothings who won’t leave

The Vatican objected to the planned moving of the UCIP offices from Geneva and to the role of the general secretary within the organization. 

The Vatican wishes to examine his assigned duties. 

There is criticism also with respect to personnel, salaries, and term lengths. 

Further, the cardinal seeks further information on why members whose membership dues were allegedly in arrears were excluded from the world congress in Ouagadougou.

The Vatican complained further that the finances are not administered by the treasurer, but by the general secretary.

In his letter of March 23rd, Cardinal Rylko wrote that there is lack of transparency in the finances. 

The union is seemingly “completely in the hands of the general secretary.” 

The “facts” show that he is attempting to save his job.

The UCIP, which is open to Catholic journalists, publishers, and communications experts, was founded in 1927 and recognized by the Vatican. 

The organization has its headquarters in Geneva.