INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT
With the expansion of the VMY throughout the world, there was a felt need for an office that would take responsibility for centralizing the information of the Association and promoting communication among the member countries. Therefore, in August 1997, Father Robert Maloney, CM, superior general at that time, during the Forum in Paris at which the Vincentian Family gathered together, consulted the group about the “future” international statutes of the Association. He proposed the names of some persons who could become part of a Provisional International Council and define the location of a headquarters for the Provisional International Secretariat.
In the following months there was consultation (written) of the 44 National Councils that formed the Association.
In March 1998, a first draft of the international statutes was presented, and a Provisional International Council was formed composed of: Fr. Robert Maloney, CM (director general), Fr. Benjamin Romo, CM (subdirector general), Sister Margaret Barret, DC (general councilor), Edurne Udrampilleta (international president). The following were lay councilors: Gladys Abi-Said, Anna Salis and Danuta Piekarz. This team prepared a final version of the International Statutes which were approved by the Holy See on February 2, 1999.
Soon thereafter, the International Secretariat was opened in Madrid. The following were the first members of the Secretariat: Fr. José Eugenio López, CM., Sister Luzdari Jiménez, DC, José Juan Perez, Deborah Pacheco, Gloria Santillán Martínez, Ivanildo Dantas, Gladys Abi-Said and Ana María Escaño. Their primary task was to prepare the First General Assembly of the Association which took place in Rome in August 2000. During that Assembly, the first international president was elected.
In April 2022, in search of new missionary lands, the VMY International Secretariat moves its headquarters to Manila, Philippines, after almost 23 years in Madrid, Spain, carrying in its heart experiences of faith and life, memories of incalculable value and, above all, much gratitude to the entire Vincentian Family of Spain for the years shared. Likewise, the VMY International Council 2021-2026 is grateful for the warm welcome of the Vincentian Family of the Philippines to the members of the VMY International Secretariat.
It was in this way that the VMY achieved a more organized international structure. Since that time many young volunteers from different countries have served the members of our Association at the International Secretariat. They have also facilitated communication among the 78 member countries. At the present time, the Secretariat is composed of the subdirector general, the international delegate, and four young volunteers (one for each of the official languages of the VMY).
We thank God for the generosity, love and commitment of each one of the advisors and the international volunteers who have ministered on behalf of our Association. We trust that they will continue to touch the hearts of many people and will encourage young men and women to continue to make Mary’s desire a reality.