Presidential Statement, Official Delegation Hail Canonization of Fr. Damien

Pope Benedict XVI today canonized five new saints, including Belgian-born priest, Jozef De Veuster, known as Father Damien, who died of leprosy in 1889 after years of caring for those suffering from leprosy on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. (New York Times.) On Friday, the White House issued a statement from the President recognizing Fr. Damien's canonization. Obama, who was born in Hawaii, recalled hearing stories of Fr. Damien's work. A large delegation from Hawaii attended the canonization ceremony in Rome. ABC News reports that President Obama sent an official delegation to Sunday's ceremony. It was led by US ambassador to the Vatican, Miguel Humberto Diaz, and included Hawaii Sen. Daniel Kahikina Akaka; New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne; the superintendent of Kalaupapa National Historic Park, Stephen Prokop; Bishop of Honolulu Larry Silva; and President of the Catholic Health Association of the United States Sister Carol Ann Keehan.