Pope presents cardinal of Belarus with 'testimony of faith' award

Published: 2004-09-27

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II praised the cardinal of Belarus for paying courageous and faithful witness to the Gospel throughout the harsh years of communism. On behalf of the Italian-based Paul VI Institute of Brescia, the pope presented the "Fidei testis" award Sept. 27 to Cardinal Kazimierz Swiatek of Minsk-Mogilev, Belarus, during a private audience in Castel Gandolfo. The "Fidei testis" or "Witness of faith" award is a "prestigious recognition," the pope said. It represents a "more-than-appropriate title for a Christian," especially for a cardinal who "in the difficult years of the persecution of the church in Eastern Europe gave faithful and courageous testimony to Christ and the Gospel," he said. The award was created this year by the Paul VI Institute on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its founding.

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