The Express Tribune > Pakistan
PM announces state funeral for Dr Ruth Pfau
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1478344/pm-announces-state-funeral-dr-ruth-pfau/
Dr Pfau is a nun from the Society of Daughters of the Heart of Mary
August 10, 2017
With her efforts, in 1996, the World Health Organisation declared
Pakistan one of the first countries in Asia to have controlled leprosy.
PHOTO: FILE
With her efforts, in 1996, the World Health Organisation declared
Pakistan one of the first countries in Asia to have controlled leprosy.
PHOTO: FILE
In recognition of services rendered by the late Dr Ruth Pfau, Prime
Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has announced a state funeral for the nun
from Germany who made eliminating leprosy from Pakistan her life’s mission.
Dr Pfau, who established the country’s leprosy control programme and the
Mary Adelaide Leprosy Center, was dubbed the Mother Teresa of Pakistan.
She passed away in a Karachi hospital at the age of 87 Thursday morning.
“The entire nation is indebted to Ruth Pfau for her selfless and
unmatched services for eradication of leprosy [in Pakistan],” Abbasi
said in a statement.
She, the PM added, gave new hope to innumerable people and proved
through her illustrious toil that serving humanity knows no boundaries.
“We are proud of her exemplary services and she will remain in our
hearts as a shining symbol in times ahead.”
Dr Pfau, a nun from the Society of Daughters of the Heart of Mary, came
to Pakistan when she was 29 in 1960 and decided to stay after she
witnessed the suffering of the country’s leprosy patients.
With her efforts, in 1996, the World Health Organisation declared
Pakistan one of the first countries in Asia to have controlled leprosy.
She was awarded the Hilal-e-Pakistan in 1989 and Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 1979
by the government of Pakistan.
Her funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 19, at 11am at St
Patrick’s Cathedral and will be buried in the Christian Cemetery (Gora
Qabristan).
PPP moves resolution in NA
Meanwhile, lawmakers from the Pakistan Peoples Party moved a resolution
in the National Assembly to acknowledge Dr Pfau’s services.
“We, the members of the National Assembly express our deepest sorrow at
the passing away of Dr Ruth Katherine Pfau, a great humanist who spent a
lifetime dedicated to public service in Pakistan,” read the resolution,
which was moved by Nafisa Shah.
“This house resolves that her rich legacy of selflessness, hope and
perseverance be commemorated through a befitting state funeral. This
house further resolves that a care foundation be set up in recognition
of her services by the government of Pakistan.”
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http://vocations.ca/communities_dioceses/sisters/daughters_heart_mary/
Founded in France in 1790 by a Jesuit, Father Pierre de Clorivière and a
lay woman, Adelaide de Cicé, our mission is to bring the Gospel message
of Jesus out in the midst of the world, witnessed through our own lives
of service to the Church and God’s people.
The Society of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary is an international
congregation of women who profess vows of Chastity, Poverty, and
Obedience and live religious life without a distinctive sign or title.
We live contemporary and often hidden lives patterned after that of Mary
of Nazareth, with community life through a common spirituality and
prayer life.
Mission
Commitment to serve people of all social backgrounds, ages, ethnic
groups, religions and traditions remains constant. Ministries are broad
and diversified.
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Albert Peres
afpe...@3129.ca
416.660.0847 cell
