AsiaNews editor to receive International Saint Anthony International Award in Padua

(June 8,2006) :- The “ Saint Anthony's International Award “ was given in the Witness category to AsiaNews editor Fr Bernardo Cervellera from PIME, in recognition of his missionary work and that of his news agency, founded in 1986, which focuses on religious, social and political issues of concern to this great continent. “If the task of the Church is to reach and embrace the whole world and announce salvation, i.e. peace, justice and respect for human rights,” says the official motivation, “Father Cervellera’s work is like a lighthouse of witness, that illuminates the path of future missions that await the interest and the contribution of all Christians.” The biennial ‘Saint Anthony's International award’ is, this year, in its fifth edition. It was established in 1998 by the friars of the Basilica of the Saint to celebrate the first hundred years of the Messenger of Saint Anthony, a magazine published in eight languages with a circulation of a million copies. For the first time, the award is also under the patronage of the Office of the Presidency of the Italian Republic. A committee of honour under Card Paul Poupard, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture, has been set up, to host the press conference that will officially announce the winners at the Council’s headquarters in Rome on June 21. The award ceremony will take place on the evening of Friday, June 23 in Padua’s Saint Anthony’s Square.