The 2002 Apostolat Militaire International (AMI) Conference and General Assembly was held in El Escorial, Spain, from September 14 to 20. The meeting had originally been scheduled for Colombia but was relocated due to the political situation there. The central theme was “The Catholic Soldier of the Third Millennium and International Terrorism – Ethical Aspects and Limitations Concerning the Implementation of Armed Forces.” This theme was explored through lectures addressing theological, juridical, military, and ethical perspectives, as well as contributions from national delegations and discussions in working groups. The assembly was viewed as a continuation of the work begun with the Declaration of Rome in 2000, which outlined the role of the Catholic soldier in the modern world.

An important organizational outcome was the election of a new Executive Committee for the 2003–2005 term, with Spain assuming the Presidency from Austria. The General Secretariat, led by Germany, was re-elected for another term. The event was further marked by the first-time participation of delegations from Slovenia, Ukraine, and Congo-Brazzaville, bringing the total to 13 delegations. The assembly also underscored AMI’s growing international presence, particularly through its recent election to the Presidency of the Conference of International Catholic Organisations (CICO).

A practical outcome of the 2002 conference was the decision to produce a booklet and CD compiling all lectures and national contributions on terrorism. This material was intended to serve as a working resource for member countries, supporting their ongoing reflection and action on the ethical challenges posed by terrorism and the use of armed forces.