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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 
 
 
¶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