3 minute read
The Una Voce Federation and Its General Assembly
by Joseph Shaw
On Saturday, 28th October 2023, the FIUV’s biennial General Assembly took place, at which the Council was elected and the officers confirmed. The General Assembly is also the opportunity for delegates of member associations to meet one another and report on their activities. In all – in person, by Zoom, and by email –we received reports from thirty-five member associations and one association seeking to join: nineteen European associations, eight from the Americas, seven from Asia, and two from Africa. I do not believe this number of reports has ever been exceeded; these have been circulated to member associations.
Dr Joseph Shaw (Latin Mass Society of England and Wales) was re-elected as President, and Monika Rheinschmitt (Pro Missa Tridentina, Germany) as Treasurer. We got a new Secretary, Andris Amolins of Una Voce Latvia.
The President d’Honneur remains Jacques Dhaussy (Una Voce France), and the Vice Presidents Felipe Alanís Suárez (Una Voce México), and Jack Oostveen (Ecclesia Dei Delft, The Netherlands).
The other Councillors are Patrick Banken (Una Voce France), David Reid (Una Voce Canada), Jarosław Syrkiewicz (Una Voce Polonia), Fabio Marino (Una Voce Italia), Rubén Peretó Rivas (Una Voce Argentina), Uchenna Okezie (Una Voce Nigeria), and Catharina Chen (Una Voce Sinica, China).
A truly international Council! We are truly blessed to have representatives of vigorous, lay-led Una Voce groups from South America, the Far East, Africa, Central Europe, and North America, as well as the key European nations of Italy, France, Germany, and England.
The Federation stands in rude health. Our total membership, of fortytwo, is the greatest we have attained, despite the removal of some inactive associations from the list, and we are in discussions with two new potential members. Our coverage of northern Europe and Latin America is close to complete, and our contacts extend much further than this suggests.
Of particular importance is the level of engagement we have with our members and supporters: the vital twoway communication between ordinary Catholics, Una Voce groups, the FIUV Council, and the President and officers. One aspect of this is represented by the number of reports we received for the General Assembly, which is very encouraging. Another is the pattern of regular Council meetings held by Zoom, which is now established, and communication through dedicated Telegram groups (for officers, Council, and members).
Thanks to all this, the Federation’s leadership has a better understanding of the state of the Traditional movement than any self-appointed online lay spokesman, and a distinct and complementary perspective to those of the Traditional institutes and the Holy See itself.
We are able to pass this information and the insights it generates, together with what we learn from our contacts in Rome, back to our members and supporters, and to the international press, with due regard to the need for confidentiality. The Federation has become the source, in fact, of a unique perspective on the unfolding consequences of Traditionis Custodes, and on the wider crisis of the Church.
Our work is increasingly supported by ‘Friends’ of the FIUV who make us regular donations. These donations now exceed in total the amount we raise from the (very low) membership dues and other donations from national associations.
If you are reading this and are not a ‘Friend’, please consider becoming one!
