Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) President Fr Tony Moreno SJ has been awarded an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Letters, by Swansea University in Wales.
Fr Moreno, who pursued a doctorate programme in Development Studies in the University of Wales Swansea from 2000 to 2003, was honoured for his “brand of leadership that is inspired by and rooted in Christian faith and hopes to be responsive to demands of reconciliation and justice”.
Swansea University recognised Fr Moreno as “one of our more successful and distinguished graduates and his career has progressed in leaps and bounds since his time with us. He is an intellectual and a leader in a country which (especially at present) desperately needs public figures of his courage and distinction.
“Fr Moreno is particularly concerned by the growth of extremism and political violence across the world, including in his own country, the Philippines, which, following the election of President Rodrigo Duterte, has seen a brutal crackdown on crime with thousands of extra-judicial killings. The Jesuits in the Philippines are working on efforts to bring about dialogue and peace, and Fr Moreno has made a public stand against the death penalty in all its forms.”
“When I got word about this honorary doctorate award, I thought initially it was fake news since I never thought I deserved it nor did I ambition to have one in my life”, said Fr Moreno in his message of gratitude to the university.
“After giving it some thought and consulting others, I decided to accept it in all humility and gratitude, not for myself simply but also for the 1,500 Jesuits and thousands of mission partners in Asia Pacific”, he said. “Who knows this recognition may challenge us to be more credible bearers of hope and execute better faith-based responses to the crucial challenges of our time.”
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