London – December 2004. His Holiness Pope John Paul II has bestowed Papal knighthoods on six members of the British and Irish Delegation. These high awards were granted by the Pontiff in recognition of the considerable support given over recent years by members of British and Irish delegation in favour of the interfaith work of the Holy See in the Balkan republic of Serbia and Montenegro.
Mr Nadhmi Auchi, GCFO, (Muslim), Mr Mahmoud Khayami, KCFO, (Muslim), Professor Nasser David Khalili, KCFO, (Jewish), Dr Peter Low, KMCO, (Roman Catholic), Mr Eitan Wertheimer, KCFO, (Jewish), and Mr Steven Wilkinson, KCFO, (Protestant), were awarded the rank and dignity of Knight of the Pontifical Order of Pope Saint Sylvester.
During the past two years the above honourees, have pro-actively supported a series of interfaith initiatives of the Apostolic Nunciature in Belgrade. These have included the funding of a series of publications explaining the role of the Holy See in the recent Balkan war, as well as supporting the restoration and rebuilding of the Vatican’s diplomatic headquarters in Belgrade.
His Excellency Archbishop Eugenio Sbarbaro, Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro bestowed the awards in the name of the Holy Father, in a ceremony in Belgrade. The Prior of the British and Irish Delegation, His Eminence Cormac, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, extended his warmest congratulations to all the recipients.
The Constantinian Order is very active in interfaith matters across the world, and it noteworthy that these Papal awards have been bestowed on our members who came from a multi-faith background.