Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, on June 6 will travel to New York where, as Emeritus President, to participate in the meetings for the Administration Council of the Path to Peace Foundation, a foundation instituted by the Cardinal himself in 1991, while he served as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, with the goal of carrying out out projects to support the work of the Holy See Mission to the United Nations.
The program includes the bestowing of the 18th Annual Award to Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, Chaldean Archbishop of Mossul, who was kidnapped on February 29, 2008 by armed men in his city and found dead two weeks later (see Fides 3/3/2008; 13/3/2008; 14/3/2008; 17/3/2008; 10/4/2008; 12/4/2008; 20/6/2008). Known for his many social initiatives in favor of the needy and disabled, the Archbishop fought for tolerance and integration of various groups. With the presentation of the Award, which will take place on June 9, in the course of the traditional Gala Dinner held by Path to Peace, the Foundation hopes to highlight the urgent need to promote the fundamental right of religious freedom throughout the world.
On Sunday, June 7, Cardinal Martino will preside the Confirmation of members of the Korean Community in New York City. On June 13, he will travel to Bangkok, capital of Thailand, to preside a celebration in Saint Louis Church for the jubilee anniversary of 23 priests who were ordained by Pope John Paul II in his apostolic journey to the country (May 1984). From Thailand, the President of the Justice and Peace Council will travel to Kuching (Malaya), where on June 15, he will inaugurate the city's new Seminary. In the years he spent as Apostolic Delegate in Malaya, the Cardinal especially worked on gathering funds for this Seminary and others in the country. In Kuching, Cardinal Marino will celebrate Mass the following day and have a conference for the presentation of the Compendium of the Church's Social Doctrine. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 5/6/2009)
