Interreligious Dialogue

Prof. don Mario Maritano  - 2017
Università Pontificia Salesiana

Per l’azione in favore del Dialogo interreligioso e della Pace, svolta in modo particolare attraverso la sua attività di docente dell’Università Pontificia Salesiana (UPS), coinvolgendo giovani di vari Paesi del mondo. Professore Ordinario di Patristica, dal 2001 al 2008 è stato Direttore della Rivista mariana " Theotokos"; dal 2003 al 2005 Direttore dell'Istituto di Dogmatica e dal 2005 al 2011 Preside-Decano della Facoltà di Lettere Cristiane e Classiche dell'UPS. È membro di varie associazioni, quali l'Association Internationale des Etudes Patristiques, la Pontificia Accademia Mariana Internazionale, l'Associazione Mariologica Interdisciplinare Italiana, il Gruppo Italiano di ricerca su Origene e la tradizione alessandrina, l'Associazione Italiana dei Professori di Storia della Chiesa, l'Opus Fundatum Latinitas. Ha curato l'edizione dei 6 volumi di Introduzione ai Padri della Chiesa e l'edizione di 9 volumi delle Letture origeniane di varie Omelie di Origene, oltre ad altri volumi. Ha pubblicato numerosi articoli di argomento storico e patristico, riguardanti soprattutto i Padri dei primi secoli(particolarmente Giustino, Origene, Girolamo, ecc.). Ha redatto infine anche diverse voci sui Padri della Chiesa per vari Dizionari. Questa attività di conoscenza dei Padri della Chiesa gli ha consentito di individuare le comunanze tra diverse religioni e fedi, base essenziale per un dialogo interreligioso fondato sulla conoscenza e sul rispetto dell’altro.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 17 november 2017

Thích Nhất Hạnh - 2014
Rinzai Buddist Monk
VIETNAM

A charismatic personality a world level, Master Thích Nhất Hạnh is a point of reference for interreligious dialogue. Through his way of life and acts, he teaches that spirituality exists beyond all religious beliefs, which translates into a deep commitment to peace and constructive dialogue between different faiths and religious beliefs in the Mediterranean and throughout the entire world.

“Society needs to become conscious and reawaken!
To discover and consolidate its cultural and spiritual roots.
To nurture a peaceful mind.
We are all interconnected; you and I are no different. If I attack you, I am attacking myself…”
(Thích Nhất Hạnh)

Awarding Ceremony
Napoli, 13 Gennaio 2014

In memory of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini - 2013
ITALY

Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini was certainly a bright star of the highest calibre whose genius enlightened the Church and illuminated the furthest horizon to embrace all humanity.
He was able to talk to people from outside the Catholic Church, regardless of their faiths (Jewish, Protestant, Orthodox, Islam or even agnostic or atheist). He was a father of the Church and an illuminated Guide revealing universal truths and leading an exemplary life.
He was not only an intelligent and learned scholar of biblical studies but also a passionate Evangelist who always steered clear of partisan interests, enlightening his fellow men with the warmth, love and truth that guided his choices.
In a society that is still lost in the wilderness of material desires, his testimony was that of beauty, openness and nobility of spirit. He lived and taught us how to live and interpret our daily lives so that the Mystery of Life could be revealed to us.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 04 January 2013

Sister Maria Pia Giudici - 2012
ITALY

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 3 september 2012

Cardinale Renato Raffaele Martino - 2011
President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace

To his intense and concrete commitment undertaken in the prestigious engagements performed over forty years in the diplomatic career began in 1962 at the nunciatures of Nicaragua, the Philippines, Lebanon, Canada, Brazil and continued since 1980 by Archbishop as apostolic delegate in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos and Brunei and since 1986 as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN until October of 2002, the period of his appointment as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
For his incisive action undertaken in this last assignment in favor of peace in the world and in favor of inter-religious dialogue and the elimination of conflicts of inter-cultural matrix between peoples.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 23 september 2011

H.B. Fouad Twal - 2010
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, JORDAN

The Patriarch Fouad Twal is an example of how to construct peace. His great humanity and modesty are pillars of a unanimously recognized action in favour of dialogue among cultures, civilizations and religions, which has made it possible to stem conflicts and tensions, giving back hope to young people, “producers” of our future. The mission and commitment of Patriarch Fouad Twal are a fundamental example for the peace process in the Middle East.

Awarding Ceremony
Rome, 13 October 2010

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
Imam FEISAL ABDUL RAUF
Imam, writer and activist, EGYPT-USA

For his action in favour of dialogue among religions, freedom of worship and human rights. He has devoted his life to the construction of solid relations with Protestant, Catholic and Jewish communities in the USA, holding the role of messenger between two worlds and struggling strenuously against any prejudice.