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06/07/2012
SDLP's John Hume Gets Papal Knighthood
Former SDLP leader John Hume has been knighted by Pope Benedict.
He was made a Knight Commander of St Gregory after his long-running human rights work and contribution to the Northern Irish peace process.
Mr Hume, a former teacher, was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his work during the Troubles more than 13 years ago.
He helped to found the moderate nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party in 1970 after working in the civil rights movement.
He took over as leader of the party in 1979 and steered it through the peace process at a time when it was the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland.
Michael Kelly from the Irish Catholic newspaper told the BBC this was a "very prestigious honour from the Vatican" which few received.
He said: "This is a senior knighthood, it is not conferred lightly at all."
Mr Kelly said he had been recognised as he was a "tireless witness for human rights".
"It is very clear it's his profound Catholic faith which has propelled his work in this sphere," he said.
Former recipients of this papal award include Bob Hope, Sir Jimmy Savile and Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
Mr Hume is expected to be knighted by the papal nuncio - a representative of the Pope - in Londonderry.
(NE)
He was made a Knight Commander of St Gregory after his long-running human rights work and contribution to the Northern Irish peace process.
Mr Hume, a former teacher, was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his work during the Troubles more than 13 years ago.
He helped to found the moderate nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party in 1970 after working in the civil rights movement.
He took over as leader of the party in 1979 and steered it through the peace process at a time when it was the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland.
Michael Kelly from the Irish Catholic newspaper told the BBC this was a "very prestigious honour from the Vatican" which few received.
He said: "This is a senior knighthood, it is not conferred lightly at all."
Mr Kelly said he had been recognised as he was a "tireless witness for human rights".
"It is very clear it's his profound Catholic faith which has propelled his work in this sphere," he said.
Former recipients of this papal award include Bob Hope, Sir Jimmy Savile and Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
Mr Hume is expected to be knighted by the papal nuncio - a representative of the Pope - in Londonderry.
(NE)
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