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Peace Tour Inaugurates UPF in Argentina
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon arrived in Buenos Aires for the inauguration of the Universal Peace Federation in the Libertador Hall of the Sheraton Hotel. An enthusiastic audience of more than 120 people enjoyed traditional folk music and watched a video on the work and mission of Ambassadors for Peace. The environment was enlivened by the “Misa Criolla,” interpreted by the choir of the University of La Matanza and Aguas Argentinas, and the duet of Juan Bautista Bertorello and Lucas De Bruno, who traveled from all the way from Cordoba in the center of the country to grace the occasion.
The welcoming address was given by Dr. Jesus Blasnik, President of UPF-Argentina, who reviewed the significance and accomplishments of Father Moon. Mr. Jorge Alberto Giorno received the Leadership and Good Governance award for his work in the Budget Commission of the city of Buenos Aires Legislature. More than a hundred distinguished citizens were appointed Ambassadors for Peace, people working in many different areas.
One noted example is Juan Carlos Blumberg, an engineer who has great fame in Argentina because of his public statements after the tragic death of his son, leading him to create a civil movement demanding more security and protection for youth.
The Argentine government was represented by the Hon Mr. Julio Rubén Ledesma, who presented Father and Mother Moon with a plaque engraved with the words, “To the Kings of Peace … recognizing a life dedicated to the permanent fight to bring true love between human beings.”
Mahatma Sergio Griffa, Hindu leader of Latin America and Ambassador for Peace, offered a stirring interreligious prayer service together with Protestant Bishop Ruben Contreras, praying for Father Moon as “the last chosen one of these times, and an incarnation of love and divine compassion.”
The event included an invitation for couples to join in a world peace blessing toast of marriage rededication.
The newspaper La Nación reported on the event and pointed out some highlights of the peace message. “He started reading, almost without lifting his face up or adding anything, about true love, filial piety, the beginning of human conflict, with Cain and Abel,” La Nación reported, “until the first applauses started as he said that the time has come to launch a Abel-type United Nations, that will establish its course according to God’s will.”
A packed house listened carefully as Father Moon spoke from his heart. The audience responded warmly as Father Moon shared candidly about the challenges of his mission. “I made a great determination to attend God and dedicate my entire life to God," he said.
To read the inaugural peace message, click here.
To download a report booklet of the UPF Founders' 2005 World Peace Tour, click here.