Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau (AIFO)

Contact

General

Project Support

Alliances & Links

Resources & Training

A Patron Saint for Human Rights
CANONIZATION OF FATHER DAMIEN
Rome, 10-12 October 2009

Events Programme

Fr Damien

Leprosy

Resolution Documents

General

Fr Damien was born as Joseph De Veuester on 3 January 1840 in the village of Tremelo in Belgium. On 2 February 1859 he was ordained in the congregation of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in the city of Louvain, and took the name of Damien. 

In 1873, Fr Damien decided that he would go and live in Molokai. He lived there for sixteen years, till his death consumed by leprosy.

Fr Damien fought for dignity of persons affected with leprosy, a champion of human rights against discrimination and stigma.

Congregation of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary with support from AIFO/Italy in collaboration with different international networks and partner organisations from Italy and all over the world, come together on this joyful occasion to celebrate the canonization of Fr Damien and to raise their voices for human rights and for end of discriminations. The two main international partners in some of these efforts are IDEA and ILEP.

In these pages you will find the following:

Events - Programme: Information about different events, activities planned in Rome and other parts in Italy for the canonization of Fr Damien.

Life of Fr Damien - including the events leading to his canonization, an online exhibition about the life of the saint, messages from around the world about the saint.

Leprosy: Even today, every year there are more than 250,000 new cases of leprosy in the world. There are about 14 millions of persons affected with leprosy in the world. Many persons affected by the disease face social stigma and discrimination. Learn more about the disease.

Resolution and documents: Sign the resolution proposed by IDEA, ILEP and AIFO and read other documents related to issue of leprosy and human rights including a declaration by Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Ambassador for elimination of leprosy

General: for general information, contact details, suggestions about hotels in Rome, etc. 

For journalists: if you wish to interview persons who have had personal experiences of leprosy or have worked with leprosy affected persons you can find their contact details and brief introductions.