Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VATICAN91
2009-08-21 13:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:  

POPE'S SAINTHOOD CEREMONY FOR HAWAIIAN LEPER PRIEST:

Tags:  KPAO KHIV VT BE HHS INT 
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P 211333Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1150
INFO AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS PRIORITY 
USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY VATICAN
UNCLAS VATICAN 000091 


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE AND S/GAC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KHIV VT BE HHS INT
SUBJECT: POPE'S SAINTHOOD CEREMONY FOR HAWAIIAN LEPER PRIEST:
OPPORTUNITIES FOR USG HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

REF: BRUSSELS 1004


UNCLAS VATICAN 000091


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE AND S/GAC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KHIV VT BE HHS INT
SUBJECT: POPE'S SAINTHOOD CEREMONY FOR HAWAIIAN LEPER PRIEST:
OPPORTUNITIES FOR USG HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

REF: BRUSSELS 1004



1. Summary and Action Request: On October 11, Pope Benedict
XVI will confer sainthood on ("canonize") Father Damien de
Veuster, the Belgian priest who famously worked in the late
1880's with leprosy (Hansen's disease) patients in Hawaii. The
event is attracting global attention, not just among Catholics,
but also among global activists who use Damien as a model for
compassionate care of those with debilitating diseases like
HIV/AIDS. Embassy Vatican will host a HIV/AIDS conference
October 14-16 together with the Catholic Church's humanitarian
assistance arm, Caritas Internationalis, and would welcome
Washington participation (e.g., from S/GAC) at the event.
Embassy also would be pleased to welcome official
representation, in the form of a presidential delegation, at the
Damien canonization as another means to emphasize USG leadership
in global healthcare. End Summary.


2. Father Damien de Veuster (Blessed Damien of Molokai) worked
actively in the leper colonies in Hawaii in the late 1880's.
Although he eventually succumbed to the disease, his compassion
and advocacy reduced the shame surrounding Hansen's disease.
Caritas International and other Catholic healthcare and aid
agencies use Father Damien as an example in their advocacy for
affordable healthcare and access to treatment of those suffering
diseases like HIV/AIDS. Indeed, Damien is so beloved that today
there are bronze statues honoring the priest in the United
States Capitol and in the Hawaii State Capitol.


3. During an October 11 ceremony, the Pope will recognize
Father Damien and his dedicated service in Hawaii on behalf of
people with Hansen's disease. Accompanied by a series of events
in Damien's native Belgium (reftel),the ceremony will mark the
first canonization of a (albeit adopted) Hawaiian. Hawaiian
participation will be noteworthy. Eight patients from
Kalaupapa, the colony where Damien worked, will accompany Bishop
Larry Silva and members of the Hawaiian clergy to Rome. Embassy
understands a National Park Service representative from
Kalaupapa may also attend, and would appreciate confirmation of
this understanding. Given Father Damien's popularity, we expect
extensive U.S. -- and especially Hawaiian -- press coverage,
over and above the considerable international media coverage
that usually accompanies canonization of new Catholic saints.


4. In coordination with Damien's canonization, Embassy Vatican
will host a large two-day conference for health care workers
together with Caritas Internationalis. The conference will
focus on securing better access to early testing and treatment
for children living with HIV/AIDS and on prevention of
mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS Executive
Director Michel Sidibi has confirmed his participation, as have
Lesley-Anne Knight, Secretary General of Caritas
Internationalis, and Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, President of
Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care.


5. Action Request: The Damien canonization provides an
important, positive opportunity for the USG to emphasize its
advocacy for global health care--highlighting American
compassion. The Embassy would be pleased to host a
Presidential delegation for the Damien canonization. The Holy
See was extremely pleased by the July meeting between President
Obama and the Holy Father and would no doubt appreciate the
gesture of a Presidential delegation for this celebration,
viewing it as a means of furthering U.S.-Vatican dialogue on
social justice issues. Embassy further believes participation
by the Secretary's Global AIDS Coordinator at its AIDS
conference would demonstrate senior-level USG interest and also
would provide the Coordinator with excellent networking
opportunities.

NOYES