Clergymen Receive John Paul II Award
Father Raimundo Alves Ferreira, of the Parish of Saint Edwiges, was honored on June 2 with the Pope John Paul II award. Father Ferreira is just one of the clergymen committed to the city’s social causes that received the award.
Father Ferreira was nominated for the award by the president of Curitiba’s City Council Chamber, João Cláudio Derosso (PSDB). The bishop Dom Ladislau Biernaski, who now heads the Diocese of São José dos Pinhais, was also honoured, having been nominated by Councilman Paulo Salamuni (PV),
Demonstrating the charitable example that John Paul II extended to all countries during his period in the Vatican, the clergy of Curitiba stood out for the social responsibility that they manifested in their parishes or parish entities last year in causes supported by the Catholic Church.
Councilman Derosso, who led the awards ceremony, emphasised the importance of the work of each of those honoured, mainly with abandoned children, as did the first vice-president, Tito Zeglin (PDT), who gave the official greeting. The first-secretary, Celso Torquato (PSDB), described the work of each of those honoured, calling them up to receive their awards.
Lourenço Fregonese of Curitiba’s Social Security Institute, represented Mayor Beto Richa; the special projects coordinator of the CNBB (National Confederation of the Bishops of Brazil), Fernando Matos, represented the executive secretary, Carlos Alberto Chiquim. Among other authorities present were the former councilman, today state deputy, Ney Leprevost; the secretary of Sport and Leisure, Neivo Beraldin; chief judge João Kopitowski; and the consul of Poland, Dorota Joanna Borys. The musical group Our Mother of Perpetual Succour made the ceremony shine.
Christian Humility
All were unanimous in commenting on Curitiba’s identification with Pope John Paul II, emphasising the pontiff’s speech, marked by the defence of human rights, inspired by Christian humanism. Councilman Zeglin provided a complete profile of the former leader of the Vatican and of his visit to Curitiba on July 5, 1980. State Deputy Leprevost justified the idealisation of the homage paid to the Curitiban clergymen, identifying with the lessons left by John Paul II, who visited 123 countries, taking messages of love and tolerance wheresoever he went. Dom Ladislau reminded all those present of the importance of exercising forgiveness. “The pontiff demonstrated the most fraternal gesture, forgiving his aggressor”, he said. To conclude, Councilman Derosso talked about the former Pope’s trademark. “He kissed the ground of everywhere he went, demonstrating the humility of a messenger of peace who dedicated his life to union among the people of the world.”
The honorees
Brother Antônio Carlos Gomes was nominated by Councillor Luizão Stellfeld (PCdoB); Brother Carlos Gonzaga Vieira by Custódio da Silva (PRB); Father Dirson Ferreira Gonçalves by Tico Kuzma (PSB); Brother Edivaldo Antonio dos Santos by Serginho do Posto (PSDB); Father Ednilson de Jesus Dantas da Silva by Roberto Hinça (PDT); and Father Everson Damian Lunardi by Dona Lourdes (PSB).
The Federation of Marian Congregations of the Archdiocese of Curitiba was nominated by the House’s first vice-president, Tito Zeglin (PDT); Fernando Márcio Gonçalves de Matos by Jorge Bernardi (PDT); Father Gabriel Figura by Julieta Reis (DEM); Father Getúlio Saggin by Pedro Paulo (PT); Father José Aparecido Pinto by Felipe Braga Côrtes (PSDB); and Father Jeferson Antônio da Silva by Sérgio Ribeiro (PV).
The council leader Mario Celso Cunha (PSB) made a point of emphasising Father João Batista Chemin’s activities, while Monsignor João Jomar Barcellos was highlighted by Councilman Jairo Marcelino (PDT); Bishop Dom Ladislau Biernaski by Paulo Salamuni (PV); Deacon Luiz Carlos Pavan by Jair Cézar (PSDB); Father Marcos Dabkowski by Celso Torquato (PSDB); Sister Mariza Petrikozski by Angelo Batista (PP); Father Ricardo Hoepers by Zé Maria (PPS); and Zélia Regina Turchenski by João do Suco (PSDB).
