HCEF
H.E. Archbishop Wuerl will be the keynote speaker at the Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the 12th International Conference on the Holy Land, Friday, November 5, 2010. The theme of the Conference is ‘Living the Faith: Promoting Peace and Human Security in the Holy Land.’
Archbishop Wuerl is currently President and Chairman of The Pope John Paul II Cultural Foundation, Inc., co-sponsors of the 12th International Conference, and for the second consecutive year the 12th International Conference will be hosted at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, DC. HCEF’s partnership with the JPII Cultural Foundation also includes the Holy Land Arab Christians Faith and Culture Exhibit, which is located on the 2nd floor of the Cultural Center.
Archbishop Wuerl’s commitment to following the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ is evident in his efforts to work for peace and justice for all humanity, and in his dedication to provide moral and spiritual support to the Christians of the Holy Land. In August 2008, under the auspices of Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, HCEF hosted a luncheon at the Cultural Center in honor of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, HB Patriarch Fouad Twal. As this was His Beatitude’s first visit to the United States as the new Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Wuerl was deliberate in officially welcoming and honoring His Beatitude during his visit. Earlier that year, in April, Archbishop Wuerl hosted Pope Benedict XVI on the Holy Father’s historic journey to the United States.
He is active in community events, joining with civic and business leaders to promote education, service to the poor, pastoral assistance to refugees and immigrants as well as interfaith understanding. Many of the parishes of the Archdiocese of Washington have, for several years, continuously supported HCEF by opening their parishes to promote HCEF’s programs, including the Child Sponsorship Program and the Holy Land Gifts Program.
The 2010 Award Banquet Recipients include: Mr. George Salem, Esq. recipient of the Path of Peace Award; Bethlehem University will be awarded the Living Stones Solidarity Award; Mr. Osama & Mrs. Rula Kishek will be presented with the HCEF Award and Sister Anne Guinan, MHSH and Sister Caritas Kennedy, RSM are recipients of the HCEF President’s Award.
Archbishop Wuerl is the sixth Archbishop of Washington. He was installed in June 2006, and is known nationally for his catechetical and teaching ministry and for his efforts on behalf of Catholic education. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including the best-selling catechisms, The Teaching of Christ and The Catholic Way. H.E. Wuerl was ordained to the priesthood on December 17, 1966, and ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II on January 6, 1986 in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome. He served as Auxiliary Bishop in Seattle until 1987 and then as Bishop of Pittsburgh for 18 years until his appointment to Washington.
