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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 21, No. 11. September 17, 1958

Pax Romana

page 6

Pax Romana

Efforts, especially on the part of the "Schweizerischer Studenttenverein", toward the unification of Catholic university associations under a single central organisation date back to the year 1888. The first world war had to pass first, before enough ground for this idea was broken. In 1921 in Freiburg, Switzerland, an international secretariat of Catholic university associations was founded; this was first accomplished by representatives from countries which had remained neutral during the war (Switzerland, Holland and Spain). Very soon, however, organisations from many other countries joined the secretariat; today there are more than 80 organisations from some 50 countries. Naturally, in view of the time of the foundation of the secretariat, just after the war, foremost consideration was given to the thought that students have to take part in the endeavour for true peace—the Peace of Christ, the "Pax Romana". From this came the idea of giving the secretariat its name and the motto, "Pax Christi in Regno Christi". This goal should be reached through close contact between Catholic students from all different lands; through the exchange of periodicals, correspondence and knowledge; but also through the meeting of students during vacations, student exchange and similar means.

Very soon, however, the international secretariat of Catholic university associations was given tasks which went far beyond its original conception. It became a question of international co-operation in the extension and establishment of Catholic student associations in countries where Catholic students, often a small minority, were unable to do it independently; it also involved the education of university students in preparation for their position of responsibility. The common tangent problems of Catholicism and the students were studied, and spiritual as well as extensive material aid was sent Catholic students across all borders. The multi-lingual publications of the International Secretariat of Catholic Students also appeared at this time. International congresses of various kinds followed yearly. So, Pax Romana developed from the international student secretariat into what its present title signifies, the "International Catholic Students Movement."

During World War II, Pax Romana limited itself to charitable work. Until then the movement had been exclusively European and had made its first step in the United States in 1939. At that time, however, work was extended into South America. Through the initiative of Pax Romana, Catholic student associations were founded there, some of which grew very rapidly. After the war and the struggle for a new foothold in Europe, Pax Romana was extended into Asian and African countries and into Australia, so that today the idea of a world movement corresponds to reality. Most recently, seminars for the instruction of leading personalities, organised by Catholic students in Asia and Africa in the leading university centres of these lands, have had very great success. Special emphasis is today laid on the work of Pax Romana in this area, and it is very probable that one of the next congresses can take place in Asia. The time after World War 11 also saw the affiliation of Pax Romana to important international organisations. Membership for Pax Romana with "consultative states" in Unesco and Ecosoc (the Economic and Social Council of the UN) has been achieved. The co-operation of Pax Romana in these organisations in Paris, New York and Geneva has been intensive and successful.

But there is yet another development which is especially worthy of attention. In 1948, through the initiative of the International Catholic Student Movement of Pax Romana, a sister organisation for graduate associations was founded. This is the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual Affairs. To this belong over sixty associations in some forty countries as well as a number of international Catholic professional organisations and secretariats for other academic professions who have no associations of their own. It regards as its special task the study and solution of basic problems concerning students and graduates, and problems of a general international nature as well.

At the head of both sections of Pax Romana stand Cardinal Joseph Pizzardo, papal "Education Minister", as Cardinal Protector, and the Bishop of Freiburg, which is the seat of Pax Romana, as General Clerical Assistant. Each section has an elected president and executive body as well as an independent general secretariat. A clerical assistant is appointed to each section. Both general secretariats have additional special secretariats distributed throughout different European university centres. The 24th World Congress of Pax Romana will take place this year in Vienna from August 31st to September 9th.

—From "Student Mirror".