Kennedy Society of Denmark
Purpose: Keeping alive John F. and Robert F. Kennedy’s inspiration
and philosophy of life, so that their good words can be translated into good deeds.

Profiles in Courage Award, 2015

The Kennedy Society has decided to present for 2015 The Profiles in Courage Award - John F. Kennedy’s book “Profiles in Courage” – to His
All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I - with this LAUDATION:

As the 270th successor of the first-called Apostle Andreas His All-Holiness has faithfully continued to work for reconciliation among Christian Churches and more understanding among Jews, Christians and Moslems for mutual respect on a global level. He has earned international respect for his ecological commitment in the belief that the Earth is given us by God. His All-Holiness has acted in accordance with President Kennedy’s words in his inauguration speech, 1961 among them that “the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.”
I His All-Holiness’ fight for peace between religions he has said: “We shall respect the belief and tradition of each other.” The book - Conversations with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I bears witness that His All-Holiness has treated every subject with courage and clarity. The Ecumenical Patriarch is known as a bridge-builder and has stated: “Both Jews and Christians have the same roots and follow the same Ten Commandments,” Regarding the relationship to Islam he has said: “I am very sad regarding the misunderstandings which to the utmost lead to violence and terror. There are other ways to solve problems and for my church the method is dialogue.”

His All-Holiness’ commitment to the dialogue between Jews, Christians and Moslems is that “The alliance between God, humanity, and the earth can be based only on peace and justice.” His All-Holiness has stated: “Wars in the name of God is war against God.” This is in accordance to the words of Robert F. Kennedy, 1968: “What it is all about is to win the greatest victory of all: Victory over war.”
In His All-Holiness’ books, speeches and sermons he always has been committed to human beings in many countries to seek peace and justice by peaceful means.
In the joint Declaration on the day of the Apostle Andreas 30th November 2014 has His All-Holiness committed himself together with His Holiness the Roman-Catholic Pope Francis “to overcome, in love and truth, the obstacles that divide us.” And: “We express our sincere and firm resolution, in obedience to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, to intensify our efforts to promote the full unity of all Christians…” And: “We are united in the desire for peace and stability and in the will to promote the resolution of conflicts through dialogue and reconciliation.” His All-Holiness has followed John F. Kennedy’s words about courage in his book Profiles in Courage: “A man does what he must – in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures – and this is the basis of all human morality.”