Speech by George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the Opening of Journey of Faith Exhibition, 17 June 2005

Your Excellency Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo,
Your Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio,
Archbishop Nicholas Chia
Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

1. Today's opening of "Journey of Faith - Art and History from the Vatican Collections" marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Singapore and the Holy See. I remember initiating the first discussion in September 1997 when I visited the Vatican as the Minister for Information and the Arts. I was honoured to meet Pope John Paul II at his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo during that visit. It gives me great pleasure to be here this evening for the opening of this wonderful exhibition.

2. This is the first time that the Holy See has ever loaned such a large number of artefacts from its collections for an exhibition in Asia. It is a great privilege for us in Singapore to host this Vatican exhibition. We are grateful for the confidence shown by the Vatican authorities in entrusting so much precious material to our care for the next 3.5 months.

3. Visitors will be able to appreciate the full breadth of European art and craft from the early Christian period to the 21st century - works by anonymous artists to famous masters like Raphael, Veronese and Bernini.

4. This is the first time the Asian Civilisations Museum is holding a major exhibition on aspects of Christian civilisation. It is part of the Museum's mission to inform and educate Singaporeans on the major religious traditions in the world. In our multi-religious society, understanding the religious beliefs and practices of others is very important.

5. Accompanying this exhibition and celebrating it, we have an interesting programme of concerts, choir performances, lectures and workshop. We hope that all this will help attract tourists to the exhibition.

6. The exhibition is about 'journeys of faith' which are not only spiritual journeys but physical journeys as well. Journeys bring about a meeting of peoples from different cultures and the exchange of ideas. All religions believe in pilgrimages because life itself is a pilgrimage. The stories about Christian pilgrimage will resonate with believers of other faiths.

7. Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic ties with the Holy See. Our ties with the Holy See are strengthening across a wide front. Cultural cooperation is an obvious area. Since 1998, we have worked with the Vatican on helping third countries through our Third Country Cooperation Programme. So far, we have conducted 11 courses in English language for 118 participants from Cambodia, Timor Leste, Laos, Vietnam and Mongolia.

8. We are honoured that the Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, Archbishop Lajolo, has personally come to Singapore for the opening of this Exhibition. I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Vatican Museums for their generous loan. I would also like to thank Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio and Archbishop Nicholas Chia for their strong support.

9. It is now my great pleasure to declare the exhibition open. I hope every visitor will see something in it to inspire him in his own journey through life. Thank you.

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