The Fédération internationale catholique d'éducation physique et sportive (FICEP)English translation: International Organization of Catholic Sports Associations. is an international nongovernmental organization (INGO) which governs all Catholic sports associations. The FICEP was founded between 1906 and 1911, under the auspices of the Italian federation FASCI,Fédération des Associations Sportives Catholiques Italiennes – its acronymic name, originally, was FASCI; then it was subsequently renamed this way: CSI the Belgium federation FBCG,FBCG: Fédération belge catholique de gymnastique. and the Fédération sportive et culturelle de France.Fédération sportive et culturelle de France – acronymic name: FSCF – formerly known as: FGSPF. Its development has mainly been confined to Europe, in spite of various and recurrent attempts to increase its geographical expansion after World War II.

History

UIOCEP In 1906, the Fédération gymnastique et sportive des patronages de France (FGSPF), the Fédération belge catholique de gymnastique (FBCG) and the FASCA (Italy) took the first steps in encouraging the practice of sports throughout the various catholic federations.Laurence Munoz, The Birth of an International Catholic Federation: a European Matter, 1905–1911, in International Journal of History of Sport, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, volume 26, n°1, January 2009

In 1908, under the auspices of Pope Pius X, in Rome, the association brought together about 2,000 participants; they came from all over the world, including: France, Belgium, Ireland, Canada and Italy.

In 1911, at the international gymnastics competition in Nancy (France), the creation of the International Union was the result of an initiative from Dr. Paul Michaux, who is the founder and the president of the Fédération gymnastique et sportive des patronages de France. There is a plaque, which commemorates this event; it is added to the facade of the birthplace of Dr. Paul Michaux; it is located at number 8 of rue Mazelle, in Metz, (France). The original designation of the new institution – as it was established under the chairmanship of Count Mario di Carpegna – is named Union internationale des œuvres catholiques d'éducation physique.Union internationale des œuvres catholiques d'éducation physique – acronymic name: UIOCEP The Baron de Dieudonné (from Belgium) and Dr. Paul Michaux are elected as vice-presidents of the aforesaid UIOCEP; Charles Simon is confirmed in his General Secretary nomination and it is agreed that the head office would be that of FGSPF, located at Place Saint-Thomas d'Aquin 5, Paris, France.

December 13 – 14, 1911: all statutes and regulations are finalized and duly ratified in Rome.

At the end of year 1913, the first General Assembly of the association of athletes was held in Rome.

In 1920, the acceptance of Germany (DJK) is considered as being irrelevant by Alsatian members, given that the Avant-garde du Rhin had joined the FSGPF during the previous year. Thus, much diplomatic sense is required from Paul Michaux, in order to allow him to persuade his friend Auguste Biecheler of the potential merits relating to such an unconventional approach. That same year the presidency is entrusted to F. Van de Kerkhove.

Since 1922, the possibility of including women in the sports world begins to grow in the Catholic memberships of OREL (Czechoslovakia) which has already accepted women as being part and parcel of their inner structures. This question, endlessly debated, will not manage to find any satisfying outcome, at least, not before the emergence of the war; thus, the UIOCEP remains resolutely made of male people.

In 1927, the DJK is finally accepted, after the signing of the Treaty of Locarno, given that, henceforth, the detailed rules for the application are in the position to allow the accession of Germany to the League of Nations.FICEP archives, 22 rue Oberkampf, Paris, France.

Leaders

Speakers 1911–1919 Mario di Carpegna – Italy 1919–1931 Felix Van De Kerkhove – Belgium 1931–1947 François Hébrard – France

Secretaries 1911–1915 Charles Simon – France 1919–1947 Armand Thibaudeau – France

FICEP On January 6, 1947, in Zurich (Switzerland) the acronym UIOCEP was altered; it is then known under the name of FICEP. François Hebrard is elected president and Armand Thibaudeau is nominated as a Secretary General of the aforesaid federation. The technical committee is entrusted to Gabriel Maucurier and a women's commission is eventually created with Marie-Thérèse Eyquem as president. The main seat remains the legacy of the FGSPF (France), which is newly baptized under the denomination of Fédération sportive française (FSF) during that same year 1947, in Paris. The former attempts which were aimed to extend its geographic spreading after the World War II have had little effect: like the UIOCEP, the F.I.C.E.P. tends to remain fundamentally linked to its European roots.

In 1960, the semantic unit Fédération internationale catholique d'éducation physique is renamed; it is then known under the following name: Fédération internationale catholique d'éducation physique et sportive. Notwithstanding the above addition, the acronym FICEP has remained unchanged over the forthcoming years.

In 1973, the first international camp brought together young people from various affiliated federations. Since then the event has been held annually, in a different country each year.

In 1980 the FICEP was recognized as an international catholic organization (ICO) by the Pontifical Council for secular (CPL). The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has granted status A to its intrinsic development, which means that, it is officially recognized as an international nongovernmental organization (INGO). As such, it participate, as an observer, at the international meetings which are held at the United Nations.

In late April 2011 the FICEP commemorated its 100th anniversary in Nancy, France.

Leaders

Speakers 1947–1954: François Hebrard – France 1954–1975: Marinus Antonius Arnoldus Van Gool – Netherlands 1975–1991: Josef Finder – Austria 1991–1998: Achilles Diegenant – Belgium 1998–2003: Dick Wijte – Netherlands 2003–2009: Clement Schertzinger – France 2009–2011: Elke Haider – Germany Since 2011: Anne Cordier – France

Secretaries 1947–1954: Armand Thibaudeau – France 1954–1991:* Robert Pringarbe – France 1991–1999: Jacques Gautheron – France 1999–2003: Clement Schertzinger – France 2003–2007: Smoly Fritz – Austria 2008–2011: Rosslhuber Rainer – Austria

Member States Early 2011, the FICEP has included thirteen countries, which are: German: Deutsche Jugend Kraft – DJK Austria: Sportunion Belgium: Gym & Dans Cameroon: Centre Sportif Camerounais – CSC France: Fédération sportive et culturelle de France – FSCF Italy: Centro Sportivo Italiano (CSI) Madagascar: Madagaskar Fitaizana ny Herin'ny zatovo malagasy – FIHEZAMA Netherlands: Thomas van Aquino – TVA Poland: Katolickie Stowarzyszenie Sportowe Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej – KSS RP Czech Republic: OREL Romania: Clubul Sportiv Roman – CSR, associate member of the FICEP (since April 2011) Slovakia: OROL Switzerland: Swiss Athletic Union

See also

Gymnastic and Sports Federation of French Patronages

Further reading

Notes and references

Nota bene

Notes

References

External links