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VATICAN-VANTHUAN Sep-17-2009 (400 words) With photo. xxxi
Grand Duke of Luxembourg receives 2009 Cardinal Van Thuan Prize
By Sarah Delaney
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Grand Duke of Luxembourg was awarded the 2009 Cardinal Van Thuan Prize for his efforts in defending the right to life and freedom of religion, the Vatican said.
The prize, which included a special silver medal and a certificate, was given to Henri, the grand duke, at a ceremony in Rome Sept. 16.
Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said at a press conference Sept. 15 that the grand duke had been chosen "for his efforts in the defense of human rights, but especially for the right to life and religious freedom."
The grand duke lost his right to veto in late 2008 when he refused to sign a law legalizing euthanasia in the tiny European country, earning the respect of Catholics and others who oppose euthanasia.
Cardinal Martino said the grand duke, who is married with five children, is worthy of the Van Thuan prize, which is "tailored to people who live according to their faith and put it into practice in their daily lives."
The grand duke met with Pope Benedict XVI in a private audience at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome, the day after the ceremony.
The award is given in honor of the late Vietnamese Cardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, who spent 13 years in prison under the communist regime in his country before fleeing to Rome in 1991. He died of cancer at age 74 in September 2002, after serving as president of the justice and peace council.
A cause for sainthood of the late cardinal is under way, with the Diocese of Rome collecting his writings as part of the process.
Some of that written material, in the form of prayers and poems, was put to music by Msgr. Marco Frisina, composer and choirmaster, and performed at the awards ceremony.
Four humanitarian organizations working in underdeveloped parts of the world will also receive about 22,000 euros ($32,400) each for excellence in their fields from the St. Matthew Foundation, which established the Van Thuan prizes last year. They are:
-- Cooperation Mission and Development, based in Thailand, which builds and establishes parishes in Africa, Asia and South America.
-- ALAS, a project of the Path of Freedom organization run by the Archdiocese of Bogota, Colombia; the project assists incarcerated people and their families.
-- Skills Development Center for the Blind, a center in Thailand that trains blind people in motor skills and vocations such as Thai massage.
-- Le Rocher, an association that aids street people in France and helps them return to society.
END
Copyright (c) 2009 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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