INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
LONDON: Former cabinet minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has called on the government of Pakistan to consider making a renowned Irish nun
honourary Pakistani citizen in recognition of lifetime of teaching and promoting interfaith relations in Pakistan.St Mary University has
announced to award Sr Berchmans the Benedict Medal next week in recognition of her services for the people of Pakistan.Sayeeda Warsi, former
Senior British Foreign Minister and a visiting professor at St Mary University, said the government of Pakistan should acknowledge that Sr
Berchmans deserves this for her lifetime services to Pakistan.Sr Berchmans will be awarded at a ceremony in Westminster Cathedral next week
Sr Berchmans students include Benazir Bhutto, Asma Jahangir, Hina Gilani, Nergis Mavalvala, Sharmeen Obaid, Shireen Mazari, Maryam Nawaz
Sharif, Tehmina Janjua, Sana Bucha, Nasim Zehra, Atiqa Odho, Jugnu Mohsin and many others
Warsi said: &Sr Berchmans dedicated 70 years of her life to teaching and spent most of her time in service of Pakistan
She taught Muslim, Christian, Parsi and Hindu children at the Convents of Jesus and Mary in Lahore, Murree and Karachi to promote education,
empowerment and interfaith harmony
She deserves recognition at all levels.& Warsi added: &I had the privilege of visiting Sr Berchmans in Karachi and I saw at first-hand how
her work and presence has created a lifetime of interfaith understanding
Like her students, colleagues and peers I am delighted that Sr Berchmans is receiving the Benedict Medal from St Mary University as part of
their summer graduation ceremony at Westminster Cathedral
It will be a fitting occasion for someone, who has given their life to education and to helping young people achieve their dreams.& The
medal, which is the University highest honour, will be presented to Sr Berchmans by the Archbishop of Westminster and Chancellor of St Mary
Cardinal Vincent Nichols during a St Mary Summer Graduation Ceremony
Sr Berchmans was born in Ireland, Country Clare, in 1930 and joined the Convent of Jesus and Mary in 1951 in Willesden, London
The award is in recognition of almost 70 years of teaching, most of which was spent in Pakistan, where she taught Muslim, Christian, Parsi
and Hindu children at the Convents of Jesus and Mary in Lahore, Murree and Karachi
In 2012, whilst she was Principal of the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Karachi, Sr Berchmans was awarded the Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam, one of
the highest civil awards given by the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
The award citation celebrated her &constant adherence to the call of duty over a span of 59 years, which has made Sister Berchmans a living
example to emulate.&Sr Berchmans will become the fifth recipient, and the first woman, to be presented with the Benedict Medal, joining
previous recipients Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop of Constantinople, Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh and
Primate of all-Ireland, Former Archbishop of Canterbury Baron Williams of Oystermouth, and Sir Michael Wilshaw, the former Chief Executive
of Ofsted and alumnus of St Mary&s
Speaking of the award, Bishop Richard Moth, St Mary Chair of the Governing Body said: &Sr Berchmans& dedication and commitment to the
thousands of students she has taught is an inspiration to anyone committed to the vocation of teaching
We are honoured that we will be able to present her with the Benedict Medal during our Institute of Education Graduation Ceremony
Her examples of inclusivity and respect will guide our graduates as they embark on their own teaching journeys and continue to inspire
future generations.TheIndianSubcontinent has not verified the content of the source
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