The International Forum of Catholic Action (FIAC) held its 9th Ordinary Assembly on 17 October 2026 at the Bachelet Auditorium of the TH Carpegna Palace – Domus Mariae, in Rome.
The day began with Holy Mass at 8.00 am, presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation and Dean of the College of Cardinals.
Presidium of the 9th Assembly
Chair: Emilio Inzaurraga, Continental Co-ordinator for America
Secretary: Michele Tridente, Secretary-General of Italian Catholic Action
Member countries with voting rights: AFRICA: Burundi, Cameroon, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda. AMERICA: Argentina, Guatemala (its admission as a member country to this Assembly was approved), Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela. ASIA: Philippines, Myanmar. EUROPE-MEDITERRANEAN: Albania, Austria, Italy, Malta, Poland, Romania, Spain, Hungary
Guatemala joins IFCA as a member country. The Assembly unanimously approved Guatemala’s admission as a new member country, with all 19 voting member countries casting a favourable vote. Monsignor Mario Alberto Molina, Assistant, and Miguel Angel Cua Chuc, President of Catholic Action Guatemala, told the history and hopes of Catholic Action in their country, expressing their delight at continuing their journey within IFCA and IFCA America.
Report on the 2022–2026 four-year period. The IFCA Secretary, Maria Grazia Tibaldi, presented the activities of the last four years, both in person and online. The IFCA Administrator, Giovanni Rotondo, outlined the financial situation.
Prayer for Pope Leo XIV. During a break, the participants went to the Chapel of Casa San Juan for Eucharistic Adoration, praying for the health of Pope Leo XIV, who was in hospital. An audience with the Pope had been scheduled for the same time that day but could not take place due to his hospitalisation.
Normative Document Updated. The Assembly approved the amendments to the IFCA Normative Document. Secretariat coordinator Eva Fernández Mateo explained the changes, which reflect the day-to-day life of the FIAC and incorporate articles requested by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.
The new Secretariat for 2026–2030. Seven countries stood as candidates; each member country could vote for a maximum of five. The Secretariat was elected on the first ballot and comprises Argentina, Burundi, Spain, the Philippines and Italy.
Eva Fernández and the assistant bishop, Eduardo Horacio García, offered words of thanks.
The Assembly concluded at 5.00 pm.
The delegates then proceeded to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for the Marian Vigil presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.
