Speech By Mr George Yeo, Minister For Foreign Affairs, At The Jubilee Dinner Organised In Commemoration Of The 25th Anniversary Of The Establishment Of Diplomatic Relations Between Singapore And The Holy See on 23 June 2006 at 7 pm

Your Eminence Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino,
Your Grace Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio,
Archbishop Nicholas Chia
Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

1 Tonight we mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the Holy See. In the past quarter of a century, the relations between Singapore and the Holy See have grown steadily.

2 About a year ago, the Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, and I opened the "Journey of Faith" exhibition at the Asian Civilisations' Museum. The exhibition was a big success. It featured an impressive collection of artefacts from the Vatican Museums illustrating the long history of the Catholic Church in the region. This was the first time that the Holy See had ever loaned such a large number of objects from its collections for an exhibition in Asia and it was a great privilege for us in Singapore to host it. We are grateful for the confidence shown by the Vatican authorities in entrusting so much precious material to our care for three and a half months.

3 This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the visit of the late Pope John Paul II in 1986. It was a historic event which touched the hearts of many Singaporeans from all walks of life, both Catholics and non-Catholics. My wife and I remember waiting in the rain under an umbrella for the Holy Father to arrive at the National Stadium. I myself had the honour of a private audience with the late Pope in Castel Gandolfo in 1997. He was a great man, a great leader and an ardent advocate of peace in the world. His passing was a major loss to mankind. We are happy that the new Pope, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, is as determined in his pursuit of global peace.

4 The Singapore-Holy See Third Country Training Programme has been a significant feature of our bilateral relations. Since the Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 1998, we have jointly run a total of 11 courses for 118 officials from developing countries in the region, namely, Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, Timor Leste and Mongolia. The continued success of this programme is driven by the commitment of both sides to help developing countries build up their capabilities so that they can better integrate into the international community.

5 In recent years, we have seen religious beliefs distorted and perverted by fanatics in pursuit of their unholy agendas. Singapore shares the belief of the Holy See that inter-faith understanding is crucial to global peace and development. As a compact multi-religious country, with Singaporeans of different faiths living and working side by side, respect of each other's religious beliefs is of profound importance to us.

Dear Cardinal Martino,

6 The speech that you gave yesterday on inter-faith understanding resonated strongly with us. We share a common approach towards a problem that afflicts so many countries today. Singapore will work with the Holy See to promote the message of peace and interfaith harmony in the world.

7 As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Singapore and the Holy See this evening, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the illustrious men whom the Holy See have accredited to Singapore as Apostolic Nuncios in the last 25 years. I also take the opportunity to thank the Singaporeans whom we have appointed as our Ambassadors to the Holy See in the same period. It is wonderful that Cardinal Martino, who was the first Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore, should come back to Singapore as a Special Envoy of the Holy Father for this important commemoration. I must also thank the present Nuncio, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio and leaders of the local Catholic community for all the effort they have made to celebrate this anniversary in a special way.

8 But our diplomatic relations are only one aspect of our relationship. Ever since the founding of Singapore as a British trading post in 1819, Catholic missionaries have played a major role in providing education and caring for the sick and the poor of all religious faiths. Although Catholics make up only 5% of our citizenry today, Catholic Singaporeans hold positions of responsibility in all fields, in both the public and private sectors. They have made a considerable contribution to the well-being of our society working hand in hand with non-Catholic Singaporeans. For all this, we must thank the Holy See for its guidance and inspiration. Diplomatic relations are but the formalisation of a relationship that in fact runs much deeper and goes back much longer.

Ladies and Gentlemen
It is now my great pleasure to invite you to join me in a toast:
- To Dear Cardinal Martino, on his return home to Singapore
- To the good health and well-being of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
- To the close friendship between the Holy See and Singapore.

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