Bern, May 9, 2012 [CD-EUDnews]. Dora Bognandi, director of the Religious Liberty Department (PARL) of the Italian Union, honored in the final session of the 7th World Congress for her perseverance in working for the cause of religious freedom.
Three days of reports, discussions, and presentations came to an end April 26 with a program honoring men and women who have “walked the extra mile for religious freedom.”
IRLA President Dr Denton Lotz urged the almost 900 attendees at the 7th World Congress to see the occasion not as the end, but as the beginning of a renewed commitment to work for religious freedom of all people, no matter what their faith tradition.
Lotz, General Secretary emeritus of the Baptist World Alliance, has served as IRLA president for more than 12 years. He received a Lifetime Commitment Award recognizing his outstanding contribution to the cause of liberty around the world.
IRLA General Secretary Dr John Graz also received a Lifetime Commitment Award acknowledging his leadership of the organization, which has resulted in an expansion of the global activities of the IRLA. Graz expressed his surprise and appreciation, but said, “For those of us who are involved this ministry, every time we see someone motivated to work for religious freedom, that is our award.”
Other awardees included individuals such as Miguel Nunez Duran, a Dominican Republic attorney who has been instrumental in the organization of the 7th World Congress, and Greg Hamilton, president of the Northwest Religious Liberty Association, headquartered in Washington state, United States and Dora Bognandi, PARL (public affairs and religious freedom) director of the italian Union of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Dora Bognandi was appreciated for the various meetings that she has organized with various political figures, for the collaboration with other religious bodies, the constant demands that she has to write chapters or oversee the publication of books (28 books), the classes taught in state universities on Protestantism or Adventism, for the participation as a speaker at round tables in various cities, in institutional settings such as the European Parliament, the Italian Parliament, Regions, Municipalities. Dora is strongly involved in monitoring the issue of the Sunday-law. In fact, during the congress she presented a report on the current state of the Sunday-law. "I would like to thank my sisters and brothers for this appreciation-award and the IRLA for these wonderful opportunities that I have to serve the Church and its liberty" concluded Dora Bognandi.
