February 14, 2013
Newburgh, NY -
Fr. Kevin E. Mackin OFM, Mount Saint Mary College president,
recently recognized 654 bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates
and a possible future pope during commencement at the campus
overlooking the Hudson River.
In May 2012, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Turkson (above right),
appointed president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
by retiring Pope Benedict XVI, addressed the graduates and their
families. He promoted “justice and peace in the world, in the light
of the Gospel and of the social teaching of the Church” and
fostering relations with international Catholic organizations and
others, “be they Catholic or not, that are sincerely committed to
the promotion of the values of justice and peace in the world.”
Speaking about the education the graduates received at Mount
Saint Mary College, Cardinal Turkson said it was a “rich blend of
scholarship and spirituality.”
Among his many activities, Cardinal Turkson serves on the board
of directors of Medicus Christi: founded to bring medical care into
poor countries. Fr. Mackin is also on that board.
Closer to home, Fr. Mackin also made an honorary alumnus of
Timothy Cardinal Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York (above left
with Fr. Mackin), during the college’s 50th anniversary celebration
in 2009.
“Cardinal Dolan needs no introduction in this region,” said Fr.
Mackin. “He is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops, and his magnetic personality makes a huge impression
wherever he visits. It would be great if either Turkson or Dolan
were selected to help build the global community.”
Additional photos can be found online:
Cardinal Dolan,
Cardinal Turkson
Click here to watch Cardinal Turkson's speech at the 2012
commencement ceremony.