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Obama praises Catholic Church for new U.S. saint

By Michael O'Brien - 10/09/09 02:26 PM ET

President Barack Obama praised Friday the Roman Catholic Church's canonization of the priest who founded a lepers' colony in Hawaii.

Obama issued a statement professing his "deep admiration" for the life of Father Damien de Veuster, who established the island of Molokai in Hawaii as a haven for lepers in the late 19th century.

"I wish to express my deep admiration for the life of Blessed Damien de Veuster, who will be canonized on Sunday by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI," Obama said in a statement. "I also want to convey my best wishes to the Kingdom of Belgium and its people, who are proud to count Fr. Damien among their great citizens."

"Father Damien," as he is colloquially known to American Catholics, takes on a special significance to Hawaiians, where the president spent formative years in his youth.

Fr. Damien will be the ninth U.S. saint in history, and is expected to be canonized this month by Pope Benedict XVI.

The president called on the world to learn from the lesson of the soon-to-be saint when it comes to treating victims of HIV and AIDS.

"In our own time as millions around the world suffer from disease, especially the pandemic of HIV/AIDS, we should draw on the example of Fr. Damien’s resolve in answering the urgent call to heal and care for the sick," he said.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/62473-obama-praises-catholic-church-for-new-us-saint

Comments (10)

Father Damien did NOT establish the colony! . Fearful of its spread of Hansen's Disease, King Kamehameha V quarantined the lepers of the kingdom and moved them to a settlement colony known as Kalaupapa on the north side of the island of Moloka‘i. Kalawao County. Fr Damien arrived years later.BY John Igoe on 10/09/2009 at 16:16
Father Damien did NOT establish the colony! . John, you're quibbling over minor facts. Father Damien WAS THINKING about establishing a colony,and for this President, that's close enough. .Looks like the Catholic Church, like the Nobel Committee, gave the award to the wrong guy.BY TruthfulTerry on 10/09/2009 at 18:22
Have either of you guys ever even read the whole story of Fr. Damien?BY John Pinkertob on 10/10/2009 at 00:46
Father Damien will be canonized a saint, not because he was a health care worker but because of his heroic virtue. The leper colony on Molokai was established by the King. The colony was in disarray and nobody wanted to visit a leper colony for obvious reasons. Father Damien ministered to and cared for these outcasts knowing that doing so would likely cost him his life. Indeed, he died of leprosy.He sacrificed his life by performing acts of mercy in obedience to Christ. That is why he will soon be a saint. The world would be better of with more saints. It is men and women like these that should be recognized with Peace Prizes.BY Matthew on 10/10/2009 at 01:06
As an SS.CC-ers… I am very proud of Him. Really he is good sheperd, risking his live for the people. He gives me many inspiration to be among the least.BY Tony Blikon on 10/10/2009 at 02:44
I am truly shocked by this gratuitous effort at Revisionist History as exhibited by John Igoe's comment. The lepers were not "moved" or "quarantined", they were BANISHED. — They were thrown off ships within "sight" of Molokai. — If they made it to the Island, fine. — If they didn't, that was fine, too. — No fault of Kamehameha - he responded as most in his time. — But, he did not set up any system or "colony" to help these unfortunates. It was, in fact, Fr. Damien who dedicated his life to the Lepers of Molokai. — He exiled himself to the Island, knowing that he could never return to ordinary "society" again, for any reason. — He made the lepers his "society". —He went against the implacable bureaucracies. — He prayed and cajoled support and he got it. Many years later, as an extra benefit, an "unforeseen consequence", of what Damien did, science had a perfect Control Group to study. — As a result, no one need die of leprosy anymore.Igoe, your anti-humanist view is so sad because it says so much about you.BY cme on 10/10/2009 at 14:06
McLean, Virginia — Jesus Christ said,"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in" . . . Matthew 25:35Anyone who does not understand does not need to do so.Paul MatthewsBY Paul Matthews on 10/10/2009 at 19:04
What? — I 've just re-read the article on Fr. Damien and I am shocked again. — You can't be serious that Damien would take on "special signifcance" for Hawaiians because Obama was brought there by unfortunately unstable "family" members? — That's the most preposterous thing I've read in awhile. — Hawaiians are vehemently proud and territorial. — Obama's just another "main-lander". — Damien gave his life for Hawaiians. — If you don't understand the difference, you are to be pitied.BY cme on 10/10/2009 at 21:42
This deserves repeating!Fathe r Damien will be canonized a saint, not because he was a health care worker but because of his heroic virtue. The leper colony on Molokai was established by the King. The colony was in disarray and nobody wanted to visit a leper colony for obvious reasons. Father Damien ministered to and cared for these outcasts knowing that doing so would likely cost him his life. Indeed, he died of leprosy.He sacrificed his life by performing acts of mercy in obedience to Christ. That is why he will soon be a saint. The world would be better of with more saints. It is men and women like these that should be recognized with Peace Prizes.BY Matthew on 10/10/2009 at 01:06BY Carol on 10/12/2009 at 15:09
I didn't know the history of this american saint, but of course he is a good examplo not only for american ones, but also for any nacionality person in the world of this 21st century .BY Gustavo Smiderle on 10/23/2009 at 21:38

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