STATUTES
OF THE
PONTIFICAL ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Title I
- Constitution and Aims
Art. 1
The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was established by the Holy Father
John Paul II on 1 January 1994 (AAS 86
[1994], 213), with the aim of promoting the study and progress of the social
sciences, primarily economics, sociology, law and political science. The Academy,
through an appropriate dialogue, thus offers the Church the elements which she
can use in the development of her social doctrine, and reflects on the
application of that doctrine in contemporary society. The Academy, which is
autonomous, maintains a close relationship with the Pontifical Council for
Justice and Peace.
Art. 2
To achieve its aims the
Academy:
a) organizes
congresses and study days on specific themes;
b) promotes
scientific surveys and research; helps and assists institutions and private
individuals to execute them;
c)
publishes the results of its own consultations;
d) issues
publications of a scientific nature.
Title II
- Regulations
Art. 3
The Academy
is made up of no less than twenty and no more than forty Ordinary
Academicians and of Honorary Academicians. Upon
reaching 80 years of age, Ordinary Academicians quit their task and, following a
proposal by the Council of the Academy, can be appointed Honorary Pontifical
Academicians by the Holy Father. Academicians are appointed by the Holy Father
on the basis of their competencies in the social
sciences and of their moral integrity (approved by the Holy Father on 26 June
2003).
Art. 4
To appoint new Academicians, candidates are
proposed to the President by at least two members. Appropriate attention should
be given to ensuring suitable representation of the various disciplines of the
social sciences and the various geographical regions. The Council of the Academy
presents to the Academy a list of candidates for each vacancy. The Assembly
takes a secret vote to indicate the order of preference in which the candidates
are to be proposed to the Supreme
Pontiff.
Art. 5
Academicians are appointed for a term of ten
years and can be reappointed directly by the Supreme Pontiff after consulting
the President and the Council of the Academy.
Academicians may also resign.
Art. 6
Academicians take part in the sessions, at
which they make communications or present papers and scientific memoranda; they
hold debates and vote on motions; they have the right to propose candidates for
nominations and subjects for work.
Art. 7
Well-known experts in the social sciences or
in the economic social and political world will sometimes be invited to
participate in individual sessions of the Academy.
Art. 8
The direction and government of the Academy
will be the task of the President, with the assistance of the Council of the
Academy.
Art. 9
The President is nominated by the Supreme
Pontiff, to whom he reports directly. The
President remains in office for five years and his mandate may be renewed. He is
directly assisted by the Chancellor, who is nominated by the Supreme Pontiff.
The President represents the Academy and directs its
progress. He is responsible to the
Supreme Pontiff and maintains contact with the Pontifical Council for Justice
and Peace. He convokes and chairs
the Council of the Academy as well as the sessions, and implements the Council's
decisions.
The President can choose a substitute among the other
Academicians who are members of the Council to preside at the sessions.
The President may delegate one or more Academicians to represent the
Academy, when and in the manner he deems fit.
Art. 10
The Council of the Academy consists of the President and
five Academicians appointed by the Supreme Pontiff, on the proposal of the
President, after consultation with the Academicians. Their term of office lasts
five years. They may be reappointed.
In addition the following are members of the Council durante
munere:
a)
the Chancellor appointed by the Supreme Pontiff,
b)
the Delegate of
the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace;
c) the President
of the Foundation for the Promotion of the Social
Sciences.
These three members attend the sessions of the Academy
with the right to vote. The Council assists the President in everything
concerning the direction of the Academy, especially in planning the work and
preparing the meetings; it receives
the reports on the financial resources.
Art. 11
The deliberations of the Academy and its Council are valid when a
majority of the members are present and when they are approved by a majority of
those present. In the case of parity the vote of the President prevails.
Art. 12
All the other norms concerning the activities
of the Academy are determined by the
Academy's internal
Regulations.
Title
III - Scientific Activities and Incentives for Research
Art. 13
The Academy undertakes directly or promotes
work and research in the area of the various social sciences.
With the objective of encouraging scientific study with
regard to topics of particular interest, the Academy may institute prizes,
promote competitions, establish internal committees and commissions for the
study of specific issues, regarding which the Internal Regulations establish the
number, value, duration and method.
Art. 14
The Academy is responsible for the
publication of the Acts and Annals.
The Acts are published in regular issues and their
frequency is determined by the Internal Regulations. They contain the minutes of the sessions, communications and
scientific notes, a list of publications received and a bulletin of the
Academy's proceedings.
The Annals have no time limit for publication; they
include scientific articles accepted by the Academy, and works for which prizes
have been awarded.
Title IV
- Financial Means
