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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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07 July 2003
Clinton gives peace address to audience in Derry
Former US President Bill Clinton has called on the people of Northern Ireland to continue to cast their vote for peace. Mr Clinton made his speech during a visit to Londonderry to inaugurate former SDLP leader John Hume in his tenure of the Tip O'Neill Chair in Peace Studies at the University of Ulster.
Clinton gives peace address to audience in Derry
Former US President Bill Clinton has called on the people of Northern Ireland to continue to cast their vote for peace. Mr Clinton made his speech during a visit to Londonderry to inaugurate former SDLP leader John Hume in his tenure of the Tip O'Neill Chair in Peace Studies at the University of Ulster.
31 January 2002
John Hume honoured with Ghandi Peace Prize
Former leader of the SDLP and Nobel Laureate John Hume will be honoured in India with the Ghandi Peace Prize.
John Hume honoured with Ghandi Peace Prize
Former leader of the SDLP and Nobel Laureate John Hume will be honoured in India with the Ghandi Peace Prize.
25 October 2010
John Hume Awarded 'Greatest' Honour
Former SDLP stalwart, John Hume has spoken of his "tremendous honour" at being awarded the prize of 'Ireland's Greatest'. An RTÉ programme had whittled a top 40 contenders down to five this week, with viewers in the Irish Republic then voting the former SDLP leader to the top spot.
John Hume Awarded 'Greatest' Honour
Former SDLP stalwart, John Hume has spoken of his "tremendous honour" at being awarded the prize of 'Ireland's Greatest'. An RTÉ programme had whittled a top 40 contenders down to five this week, with viewers in the Irish Republic then voting the former SDLP leader to the top spot.
22 April 2004
President of the European Parliament to address UU
The President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox is to give a lecture on the role of Europe as a force for reconciliation at the University of Ulster’s Magee campus next week. Mr Cox has been a member of the European Parliament since 1989, representing the constituency of Munster. He was elected President in January 2002.
President of the European Parliament to address UU
The President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox is to give a lecture on the role of Europe as a force for reconciliation at the University of Ulster’s Magee campus next week. Mr Cox has been a member of the European Parliament since 1989, representing the constituency of Munster. He was elected President in January 2002.
01 February 2002
Hume accepts Ghandi peace prize
Nobel Laureate John Hume MEP has received the Mahatma Ghandi Peace Prize in a ceremony in New Delhi, India. According to the citation, the prize was presented to him for his "outstanding work and contribution to social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Ghandian methods".
Hume accepts Ghandi peace prize
Nobel Laureate John Hume MEP has received the Mahatma Ghandi Peace Prize in a ceremony in New Delhi, India. According to the citation, the prize was presented to him for his "outstanding work and contribution to social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Ghandian methods".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
