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A
Patron Saint for Human Rights
CANONIZATION OF FATHER DAMIEN
IDEA, ILEP & AIFO
RESOLUTION
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in PDF format in English
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A Quest for
Justice
A Resolution on the Occasion of the Canonization of Father Damien
By and For Individuals Affected by
Leprosy Throughout the World
The canonization of Father Damien De
Veuster provides an unprecedented opportunity to focus the world’s
attention on the modern day realities of leprosy. At the same time,
discussing his work with the people of Kalaupapa enables us to promote
issues related to justice and human rights that were the cornerstone of
his work. As we honor his memory, it is equally important that we honor
his commitment to promoting the equal and inalienable rights of every
human being.
Today, 120 years after the death of Father Damien, people around the
world affected by leprosy continued to be denied the basic rights
outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including: The
right to home, the right to family, the right to work, the right to
education, the right to nationality, the right to a standard of living
adequate for health and well-being, and the right to be free from
degrading treatment.
Father Damien insisted on justice. He insisted that people should not be
deprived of their rights or value as human beings because they had a
disease. He saw the value, dignity and inspiration in each person.
Discussing Father Damien’s life and work in the context of the human
rights issues facing people affected by leprosy today provides an
important bridge between the past and present. The Church has always
played an important role in supporting people who have had leprosy. The
canonization of Father Damien provides the Church with the opportunity
to circulate a timely message throughout the world about the basic human
rights of individuals affected by this disease.
As we honor the work that Father Damien did more than a century ago, it
is essential to make it clear that today:
1) Leprosy is curable. The biggest problems facing people affected by
leprosy are related to outdated images and prejudice and discrimination
that result in widespread human rights violations.
2) The term “leper” is not appropriate in modern times. We must ensure
that in talking about Father Damien we use the language of today, not of
100 years ago. We must urge the public to recognize that although the
word “leper” was a historical term widely used in Father Damien’s day,
it has taken on increasingly negative connotations in the last century.
We must agree that no one should be referred to by this term today as it
violates their right to be free from degrading treatment.
3) People who have experienced leprosy are equal partners. Father Damien
worked with the people of Kalaupapa as equal partners. They built houses
together, formed funeral associations together, and planned religious
celebrations together. Working side by side, they welcomed new arrivals
to Kalaupapa with hot steaming coffee. Father Damien’s legacy encourages
us to continue to promote partnership as an important means of ensuring
the full and equal participation of individuals whose lives have been
challenged by leprosy.
As we approach the canonization of Father Damien and proceed into the
future, we resolve to utilize his legacy fully to promote the basic
rights of all individuals, particularly those who have had leprosy.
Resolution Adopted in Rome, 30 May, 2009
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Signed by
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR
INTEGRATION, DIGNITY AND ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT (IDEA INTERNATIONAL) –
International federation of persons affected with leprosy
Zilda Borges, President for International Advocacy, IDEA (Brazil)
P.K. Gopal, President for International Relations, IDEA (India)
S.K. Jung, President for Socio-Economic Empowerment, IDEA (S. Korea)
On behalf of IDEA members
Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa, President, Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa (Hawaii),
Natália da Graça Marçal (Angola), Michael Chen (P.R. China),
Ngoma Ngoma (D.R. Congo), Arega Kassa Zelelew (Ethiopia),
Jackson Kofi Nyarko (Ghana), Josefina Gomes Correia (Guinea
Bissau), Makia Malo (Hawaii), Miyoji Morimoto (Japan),
Reymond Mugeni (Kenya), Omar Coulibaly (Mali), Chamada
Abibo (Mozambique), Parwati Oli (Nepal), Abdou Yohanna (Niger),
Alhaji Shehu Sarkin Fada (Nigeria), Sigurd Sandmo (Norway),
Maria Graciela Baéz Benitez (Paraguay), Hilarion Guia (Philippines),
Doo Sung Lim (South Korea), Abubakar Adam Muhamad (Sudan),
Tien-Pei Lee (Taiwan), Noerine Kaleeba (Uganda), José
Ramirez, Jr. (USA)
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ANTI-LEPROSY ASSOCIATIONS (ILEP)
Mr. René Staeheli, President
Mr. Douglas Soutar, General Secretary
On behalf of ILEP Member Associations
American Leprosy Missions (ALM), USA, Association Française Raoul
Follereau (AFRF), France, Associazione Italiana Amici di Raoul
Follereau (AIFO), Italy, British Leprosy Relief Association (LEPRA),
UK, Damien Foundation Belgium (DFB), Belgium, Deutsche
Lepra und Tuberculosehelfe, Germany, Fairmed, Sasakawa Memorial
Health Foundation (SMHF), Japan, Fairmed Switzerland,
Fondation du CIOMAL, Switzerland, Fondation Luxembourgeoise Raoul
Follereau (FL), Luxembourg, Fontilles Luchas contro la Lepra
(SF), Spain, Les Secours aux Lépreux (SLC), Canada,
Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR), Netherlands, Leprosy Mission
International (TLMI), UK
ITALIAN ASSOCIATION AMICI DI RAOUL FOLLEREAU (AIFO), a network
organisation of Italian groups
Dr. Francesco Colizzi, President AIFO
On behalf of AIFO Member groups in Italy
Gravina Luigi (Vice-presidente, Coordinamento regionale Campania),
Bertino Anna Maria (Consigliere, Coordinamento regionale Liguria), Di
Gennaro Michela (Consigliere, Coordinamento regionale Campania),
Marchetti Giulio Consigliere , (Coordinamento regionale Puglia,
Basilicata, Calabria), Pupulin Enrico (Consigliere , Coordinamento
regionale Triveneto), Zovini Sergio (Consigliere , Coordinamento
regionale Lombardia), Vercelli Sergio (Coordinatore regionale,
Coordinamento regionale Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta), Ceva Danila (Coordinatore
regionale, Coordinamento regionale Liguria), Dellepiane Anna (Coordinatore
regionale, Coordinamento regionale Lombardia), Demattè Fabrizio (Coordinatore
regionale, Coordinamento regionale Triveneto), Favero Alberto (Coordinatore
regionale, Coordinamento regionale Toscana, E. Romagna, Marche), Del Re
Simona (Coordinatore regionale, Coordinamento regionale Lazio), Nusca
Antonio (Coordinatore regionale, Coordinamento regionale Abruzzo,
Molise, Umbria), Landolfi Antonio (Coordinatore regionale, Coordinamento
regionale Campania), Monaco Arturo Antonio (Coordinatore regionale,
Coordinamento regionale Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria), Rizzello Iris (Coordinatore
regionale, Coordinamento regionale Sicilia), Pisano Anna Maria (Coordinatore
regionale, Coordinamento regionale Sardegna)
Other signatories
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Pamela
Parlapiano, IDEA, USA
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Ymelda
Beauhamp, IDEA-USA & ALM
Sign this resolution by sending an
Email to felicita.veluri(at)aifo.it
Download printable version of the resolution
in PDF format in English
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