International Federation of Catholic Pharmacists

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The International Federation of Catholic Pharmacists ( s. : International Federation of Catholic Pharmacists , abbreviation: IFCP; Fri : International Federation of Pharmaciens Catholiques , abbreviation: FIPC) is an association of Catholic pharmacists and pharmacists in the Roman Catholic Church . The Federation was founded in Rome in 1950 and is an association of the faithful recognized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity . The non-governmental organization has around 50 member organizations from 36 countries around the world; it works with the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care in Health Services , the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Council of Europe and the European Union , and it conducts joint activities with the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations and the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Social Medicine Assistants .

history

The founding idea arose in the 1930s from an idea that was developed during a meeting between pharmacists from Belgium and France . The meeting took place in Luxembourg at the International Congress of the International Movement of Catholic Students (MIEC). The previously founded national Catholic pharmacists' associations mostly bore the names of Saints Albertus Magnus and Cosmas and Damian . The first founding step then took place in 1933, with the priest and later Cardinal Joseph Cardijn (1882–1967) they found a great supporter. With the outbreak of the Second World War , the work was stopped, in 1947 the International Movement of Catholic Intellectuals (MIIC) was founded, and the pharmacists who began studying pharmacy in 1933 also joined them. These formed the core of the new beginning, which received its initial spark in the Holy Year 1950 at the first congress of Catholic pharmacists, at which 500 participants were gathered.

Organizationally, they were still affiliated with the Pax Romana (MIIC) and were represented there by an undersecretary (without voting rights ). In 1953, work began on its own statute, which was adopted in Fátima in 1954 . In 1956 she was given a voting seat at Pax Romana-MIIC under the designation "International Federation of Catholic Pharmacists (FIPC)" and from 1962 she also represented the Association of Catholic Pharmacists at other organizations. In 1972 the Federation was recognized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity as an independent and sovereign association of believers under papal law .

Organization and dissemination

The Federation distinguishes between ordinary, corresponding and charitable memberships; the highest organ is the International Council, which is established by the general assembly of the association. The Executive Committee, which is elected from the International Council, consists of the President, several Vice-Presidents, the Secretary General , the Treasurer and the Ecclesiastical Assistant . The federation is headquartered in Brussels and has around 50 full and corresponding members from 36 countries worldwide. The German member is the Albertus Magnus Pharmacists Guild. The FIPC does not manage any plants or facilities of its own; it is actively involved in projects and programs and supports aid organizations . The most important institutions include "Orbi-Pharma" and "Cameroon Bioethic Society"

Self-image

In his address to the members of the International Congress of Catholic Pharmacists in 2007, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized . (2005-2013) the aims and purposes of the federation:

“The current development of the range of medicines and the therapeutic possibilities that arise from them mean that pharmacists are reflecting on the increasingly broader role they play in accordance with their calling, especially as mediators between doctor and patient. They should teach patients to use the medication properly and, above all, to be aware of the ethical consequences of taking some drugs. In this field, it is impossible to numb the conscience, for example, in relation to the effects of the molecules aimed at preventing an embryo from implanting or shortening a person's life. The pharmacist must invite everyone to greater humanity, so that every life is protected from the moment of conception until natural death and that the drugs actually fulfill their therapeutic function. On the other hand, no person may be safely used as an object to conduct therapeutic experiments; these must be carried out in accordance with the protocols, respecting the basic ethical rules. Every treatment, every experiment must aim at a possible better condition of the person and not just the search for scientific advances. The pursuit of the well-being of humanity must not be to the detriment of the patient's well-being. In the moral field, your association is invited to address the issue of conscientious objection, which is a right that must be given to your profession by allowing you not to participate, directly or indirectly, in the supply of products that are clearly immoral, such as abortion and euthanasia. "

- Pope Benedict XVI.

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Compare: St. Albertus Magnis Apothekergilde [1]
  2. ↑ The Albertus-Magnus-Apothekergilde is the association of German Catholic pharmacists who shape their profession in a Christian way, have a responsible influence on society and want to actively represent their positions towards their partners - patients and doctors. [2]
  3. ↑ "Orbi-Pharma" is an aid organization for Belgian pharmacists [3]
  4. ↑ "Cameroon Bioethic Society" Archive Link ( Memento of 16 December 2014 Internet Archive ) (Cambin) is the first bioethics society in Africa and was of Cameroon established
  5. ↑ Address by Benedict XVI. to the participants of the 25th International Congress of Catholic Pharmacists , Monday 29 October 2007.