US president’s message for St. Damien’s canonization

(October 12, 2009) US president Barack Obama, who was born and spent part of his childhood in Hawaii, has said he remembers stories about St. Damien caring for people suffering from leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, and its stigma. In a statement ahead of Sunday’s canonization ceremony, Obama noted that millions worldwide suffer from disease, especially HIV/AIDS, and urged people to follow Fr. Damien's example by “answering the urgent call to heal and care for the sick.” Those with leprosy, which can result in disfigurement, had been ostracized for centuries by societies and even families. Obama said he remembered many stories from his youth about Fr. Damien’s tireless work in Molokai caring for those suffering from leprosy who had been cast out, adding the priest had "challenged the stigmatizing effects" of the disfiguring disease. "In our own time as millions around the world suffer from disease, especially the pandemic of HIV/AIDS, we should draw on the example of Fr. Damien's resolve in answering the urgent call to heal and care for the sick," the US president said. Official delegations for the canonization of St. Damien on Sunday included King Albert II and Queen Paolo of Belgium, Hawaii Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka and US president Barack Obama’s representative, US ambassador to the Holy See, Miguel Diaz. Among other dignitaries at the canonization ceremony were Polish President Lech Kaczynski, French prime minister Francois Fillon and Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos to celebrate new saints from their countries.