CARDINAL SODANO GRANTED AWARD BY PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 18, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano received, yesterday in the Vatican, a special award granted to him by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The award was presented by the Ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See, Henrietta T. de Villa.

The text of the presidential award commends Cardinal Sodano "for his zeal and dedication in the performance of his tasks as Secretary of State of the Holy See since his appointment in 1991" as well as "for his keen apostolic interest in missionary efforts throughout the world, including those being undertaken in - or proceeding from - Asia and the Philippines, contributing immensely to a more widespread acceptance of Christianity in our region."

Lastly, the award recognizes the Cardinal "for his interest in the Philippines as manifested in his personally presiding over a Te Deum ceremony on 14 March 2001, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines."

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