Danforth receives peacemaker award for Sudan deal

May 9, 2007 (WASHINGTON) — Former US President envoy to Sudan John Danforth received the Catholic Theological Union’s (CTU) 2007 “Blessed are the Peacemakers” Award, the ST Louis Business Journal reported Wednesday.

The former U.S. senator brokered peace talks between the government of Sudan and the former rebel Sudan Liberation Movement to end a 22 years north-south war. He was appointed on September 2001.

Danforth received the award Wednesday at CTU’s 17th annual Trustee Dinner at Chicago’s Westin Hotel. CTU, in Chicago, is the largest graduate school of theology and ministry in the United States.

“It is a great honor to receive the Blessed are the Peacemakers Award from the Catholic Theological Union,” Danforth said in a statement. “To be in the company of such inspiring humanitarians is truly humbling.”

Danforth was recognized by CTU, according to a release, for his career as a U.S. senator, during which he served as a presidential representative to Sudan to help resolve the 19-year civil war. He is an ordained Episcopalian priest and author of the book “Faith and Politics: How the ‘Moral Values’ Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together.”

The CTU honored Danforth’s commitment to putting a stop to violence and his efforts to unite people of faith in the U.S. and abroad. “Blessed are the Peacemakers” awards are given to people and groups that demonstrate bold peace-making efforts around the world.

(St. Louis Journal)