THE LAUNCHING OF THE JOHN PAUL II CENTER FOR CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT
  
 
      Assumption University launched the John Paul II Center for Catholic Social thought, on January 29, 2007. This initiative was to honor and commemorate the late Pope John Paul II, particularly for his encylicals on the doctrines of Catholic Social Thought. The long-term contribution of the Center would lie in research, seminars and eventually, a degree program in Catholic Social Thought.

      His Eminence Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, the Holy See's Prefect for the Commission on Justice and Peace delivered a keynote address at the launching ceremony thus inaugurating the center. Prior to the ceremony, His Eminence Michai Michael Kitbunchu, Archbishop of Bangkok blessed the statue of the late Pope John Paul II which had been kindly sponsored in part by His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Papal Nuncio to the Kingdom of Thailand. The three meter statue of the late pope stands at the entrance of the University Museum at the Bang Na campus and was fashioned by Italian and Thai sculptors at a Sriracha factory.

      The launching ceremony, held in the exquisite plenary hall of the John XXIII Conference Center attracted a multi-faith audience of hundred representatives from various walks of life. Ambassadors and special representatives from 15 countries also attended.

      In his keynote address, His Eminence Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino delineated the values and meanings of Catholic Social Justice in fine academic reasoning. The discussion which ensued was indeed illuminative and animated, drawing forth cross references between the approached to social peace and justice from the various faiths represented at the forum.

      Assumption University then hosted a high lunch for all the guests at the concourse of the conference center. His Eminence Cardinal Martino was immensely satisfied with all the arrangements and commended Assumption University on its very proactive gesture of launching the John Paul II Center for Catholic Social Thought.