CAPITOL HILL. MAY 14, 2003 --- The city of New York honored
Kinawley - born Father Sean Mc Manus, President of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus at a
ceremony on May 13,2003 in the Donnell Library Center Auditorium, a few blocks from St. Patrick's Cathedral.
The " City of New York Commendation" was presented to Fr. Mc
Manus by new York City Comptroller, William C. Thompson, Jr., and it declares
"Presented to Father Sean Mc Manus for his distinguished spiritual and community leadership; for his commitment to human rights and a non-violent resolution of " The Troubles"; for his tireless efforts in organizing the American movement to achieve justice and peace in Northern Ireland; and for his dedication to preserving and promoting the rich heritage and culture of Ireland."
Mr.. Thompson, the first African-American Comptroller , has continued New York's strong support for the Mac Bride Principles, As the Comptroller, Mr. Thompson is the custodian of billions of dollars of the city's funds which are invested in companies doing business in Northern Ireland -- providing enormous leverage for the Mac Bride Principles.
In accepting the"
Commendation", Fr. Mc Manus said:
"I am very grateful to Comptroller Thompson for this Award. In supporting the Mac Bride Principles, Comptroller Thompson shows that he follows in the grand tradition of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. who famously said :'
Since justice is indivisible, injustice anywhere is an affront to justice
everywhere'. So to Comptroller Thompson, injustice in Belfast is an affront to justice in Manhattan.
And let me give you another quote, this time from a famous
American Protestant Biblical scholar, Walter Brueggemann : ' In Biblical faith, the doing of justice is the primary expectation of God'.So as Irish-Americans , when we work for justice in Ireland we are not just being true to our heritage - WE ARE BEING TRUE TO OUR FAITH.
So let us continue to work for justice and pray for peace in Ireland.
God bless America. God save Ireland."
