ISTITUTO CATTOLICO DI ATTIVITÀ SOCIALE (I.C.A.S.)
In the ordinance approved on 28 November 1946 by the Most Excellent Episcopal Commission for Italian Catholic Action, the specialized technical body of the A.C.I. is defined for all matters relating to economic and social action.
It was established in 1926 to inherit the legacy of past Catholic social organizations, such as the Italian Confederation of Workers, the Confederation of Mutuality and Social Insurance, the Italian Cooperative Confederation, and the Federation of Rural Banks.
The Institute has the task of formulating and disseminating the Catholic perspective on issues concerning institutions and social categories in their existence and harmonious functioning, as well as promoting the establishment, overseeing the theoretical and practical direction of Catholic social institutions and works, and providing them with moral support through unified coordination.
In accordance with these objectives, the I.C.A.S. is organized into two sections: the Study Section, which identifies current economic and social problems and interprets their content in light of Christian social thought, produces monographs and social publications for information and guidance, promotes and collaborates in the doctrinal formulation of the Italian Catholic Social Weeks (for which a permanent committee has been established), offers a threefold correspondence school for social, trade union, and cooperative education, and publishes the biweekly periodical *Orientamenti sociali*, now recognized as the organ for guidance, information, and economic-social education for all Italian Catholics. Among the most studied issues are the relationship between Church and State, labor unions, industry and agriculture, credit and rural banks, and apprenticeship. Notable publications include *Per la comunità cristiana*, a synthesis of Catholic social thought also known as the "Codice di Camaldoli," and the proceedings of the Social Weeks (cf. from 1945 to the present).
The Social Works Section has effectively contributed to, or directly promoted, the reconstitution in 1945 and 1946 of free social organizations, including: the Italian Christian Workers’ Associations, the Italian Cooperative Confederation, the National Center for Artisans and the Italian Artisans’ Confederation, the Italian Women’s Center, the Christian Union of Entrepreneurs and Managers, the Catholic Committee for Emigration, and the Family Front.
The I.C.A.S. is directed at the national level by a president, a presidency council, an ecclesiastical consultant, an administrator, and a general council composed of delegates for social activities from the various national associations of the A.C.I., representatives of coordinated and dependent works, and affiliated institutions.
At the diocesan level, Diocesan Secretariats for Social Activity (Se. D.A.S.) have been established.
Since 1950, the I.C.A.S. has established a European Action Center within its structure.