AMERICA/COSTA RICA - "Honorary citizenship" to Pope John Paul II: encouragement and commitment for the entire country

Tuesday, 15 February 2022 politics local churches youth pope

Conferenza episcopale

COSTA RICA

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San José (Agenzia Fides) - On February 10, in an official act of the Legislative Assembly, the portrait of Saint John Paul II was unveiled to celebrate the Honorary Citizenship of Costa Rica that was granted to him. In fact, on August 11, 2021 the bill "Declaration of Honorary Citizenship for Pope John Paul II, Carol Wojtyla" was approved. The initiative was promoted by the Deputy and Head of the Christian Social Republican Party Fraction, Otto Roberto VargasVíquez. Pope John Paul II visited Costa Rica on 2 and 3 March 1983 and defined the country as "a land with a fruitful and peace-loving history". His visit had a positive impact on the entire Costa Rican people, recalls the note from the Bishops' Conference. Furthermore, the miracle necessary for his canonization was recognized to a Costa Rican, Mrs. Floribeth Mora, who recovered from a severe aneurysm.
Monsignor Laurentiu Dancuta, first Secretary of the apostolic nunciature, Monsignor José Manuel Garita, president of the Bishops' Conference, and Monsignor José Francisco Ulloa, Bishop emeritus of the diocese of Cartago, participated in the ceremony. In his speech, the President of the Episcopal Conference recalled that Pope Saint John Paul II was "the only one who, in the entire history of the Church, has visited our country, leaving a profound spiritual sign, full of gestures that will remain engraved forever in our population. His visit was an irrefutable sign that Costa Rica stands out as a nation respectful of peace, democracy and the highest values that respect the dignity of the human person". Honorary Citizenship recognizes the remarkable services rendered by the person who receives it, continued Monsignor Garita, "without a doubt, the work of St. John Paul II is recognized by Catholics, by believers in general and by people of good will. It would be endless to talk about the work of Pope Saint John Paul II ... This honor granted by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica revives the striking figure of Saint John Paul II, encourages us in this precise historical moment and also commits us to continue to be a country that loves peace, values, that works in solidarity, for the common good and social justice".
Therefore, the President of the Episcopal Conference focused on the young Costa Ricans, to whom almost 40 years ago, Pope Saint John Paul II addressed a proposal of life. "Many young people of that time grew up with the Pope's heartfelt words that invited us to raise our spirits, to be good people, to build paths where we could all find better opportunities. Therefore, Honorary Citizenship must also be an invitation for us to work with all our strength to open new horizons for our children and youth as the future of the country. Let's work for education, let's strive to provide opportunities for children and young people, this is our responsibility and it will be the best legacy we can leave them". The Bishop concluded his speech by recalling Pope Saint John Paul II's commitment to life and his defense that this Honorary Citizenship "help us to value life as the greatest good we have in our hands, that we can defend it, promote it, respect it and love it, as St. John Paul II always invited us to do". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2022)