[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 95 (Monday, July 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO CARDINAL WILFRID NAPIER, OFM, OF DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA AND 
                       THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 15, 2002

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Archdiocese of 
Detroit, which has joined with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 
and Catholic Relief Services to stand in solidarity with Africa through 
the Africa Rising: Hope and Healing Campaign. Encouraging members of 
the Metro Detroit Catholic community to engage in advocacy, dialogue, 
and prayer, they have joined this campaign to truly put their faith to 
work. On Sunday, June 30, 2002, the Archdiocese of Detroit had the 
distinguished honor of hosting Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, OFM, of Durban, 
South Africa, as part of their Africa Rising: Hope and Healing 
Campaign.
  Born in Matatiele, South Africa, in 1941, Cardinal Napier studied in 
Ireland and France and completed a Masters Degree in Philosophy and 
Theology. Ordained a priest in 1970 and then appointed Administrator 
Apostolic of the Diocese of Kokstad and made Bishop of Kokstad in 1981, 
Cardinal Napier's vibrance and leadership was apparent from the start. 
Serving two terms as President of the Southern African Catholic 
Bishops' Conference from 1987-1994, Cardinal Napier went on to be 
appointed Archbishop of Durban in 1992. In 1998 Pope John Paul II 
appointed him as Consultor to the Congregation for the Evangelization 
of the Peoples, and in February of 2001, he was named Cardinal. An 
outspoken advocate for HIV-AIDS treatment, poverty eradication, debt 
relief, and development, Cardinal Napier's outstanding work to create 
innovative new programs and initiatives for these social justice issues 
is truly unparalleled. He has taken up the challenge to fight for the 
people of sub-Saharan Africa and continues to work hard for the 
advancement of his region and beyond.
  I applaud Cardinal Napier for the work he has accomplished and 
continues to do, and I welcome him to the United States and to Detroit, 
Michigan. I also applaud the Archdiocese of Detroit for its leadership, 
commitment, and service, and for encouraging our community to stand in 
solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Africa. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in saluting Cardinal Napier, and pay tribute to 
him as he embarks on this historic visit.

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