CEBU, January 9, 2011—Former Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr., was conferred today the Papal Award of the Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Sylvester in a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided by Cebu Archbishop, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
The conferment ceremony was held within the mass at the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Shrine at the Archbishop’s Palace in Cebu City in the presence the honoree’s family and friends.
The Pontifical Order of St. Sylvester (Pope and Martyr) is one of the five orders of knighthood awarded directly by the Pope. It is intended to award Roman Catholic laymen who are actively involved in the life of the Church as exemplified in the exercise of their professional duties.
In his homily Cardinal pointed out that the award was already issued to Davide in 2007 but it was only today that the conferment was found opportune given the busy schedules of the awardee who after serving the government as chief justice (1998-2005) he was immediately appointed ambassador and permanent representative of the permanent mission of the Republic of the Philippine to the United Nations in New York City.
Cardinal Vidal further cited in his homily the exemplary life of Davide as a Catholic lay person witnessed as a family man, a government servant and a church advocate.
Present as concelebrants during the Eucharistic Celebration were Archbishop Osbaldo Padilla, Apostolic Nuncio to South Korea, and Bishop Antonio Ranola together with some priests of Cebu.
Among the specials of the guests of the awardee were officers of Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippine Inc., (KCFAPI) and the KC members of the Visayas Jurisdiction.
The officers of KCFAPI who attended this signal event were: SK Alonso Tan, president; SK Dionisio Esteban, Board of Trustee, SK Ramon Rodrigo, Corporate Secretary, Theresa Curia, Executive Vice President and Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, Chaplain. (CBCPNews)
