MANILA, July 29, 2010—A foreign missionary based in Mindanao has been cited for his invaluable contribution in the promotion of peace and interreligious dialogue among Christians and Muslims in Mindanao.
Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, received the Bukas Palad Award during a ceremony at the Erwin Shaw Theater in the Loyola Heights campus of Ateneo de Manila University on July 22.
D’Ambra is a member of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Mission (PIME) and founder of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement.
His contribution in the promotion of peace through the movement “helped plant the seeds of interreligious dialogue in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, and nurturing and spreading them through leadership roles in the interreligious dialogue thrusts of Pontifical Institute for Foreign Mission (PIME) and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).”
The award, first given in 1963 by the university to Msgr. Jose Jovellanos, was named after Jesuit Fr. Manuel Peypoch, “who served the Church and society in the areas of education and culture, in social and human development concerns.”
The Award was later named Bukas-Palad to “capture the Ignatian spirit of ‘Generosity’ and to give recognition to the unconditional, dedicated service of Religious in Christ’s Kingdom.”
D’Ambra gratefully accepted the award saying that “it is not just an honor but a responsibility to fulfill.” The priest said the award is not only for him but for every Christian and Muslim in Mindanao who shares his commitment to the mission of dialogue and peace.
Awarded together with D’Ambra were Monsignor Jose C. Bernardo, Jr., also for the Bukas Palad Award; Federico Aguilar Alcuaz for the Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi; and Dr. Alfredo R. A. Bengzon for Lux-in-Domino Award.
A native of Sicily, Italy, D’Ambra was assigned in 1977 to the PIME mission station in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.
His experience of living together with Muslims, Christians and lumad in Mindanao led him to found Silsilah Dialogue Movement in 1984 aimed at “promoting a deeper understanding and better relations” among tri-people of Mindanao and with people of other faiths and traditions. (CBCPNews)
