On Sunday, 21 November, Brother Vincent Malham, President, was awarded the “Croix Pro Piis Meritis” by H. E. Baron Albrecht von Boeselager, Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta. The recognition was accorded for the faithful service rendered by Bethlehem University and Brother Vincent to the young people of Palestine.

The ceremony took place at Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem on the occasion of the meeting of the International Board of Trustees of Holy Family Hospital. It began with Mass presided by H. E. Monsignor Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Delegate, followed by a reception during which the presentation was made.

The ceremony was attended by some 250 guests, including Mr. Zuhair Manasra, Governor; Mr. Raji Zeidan, Mayor of Beit Jala; Mr. Hanna Nasser, Mayor of Bethlehem and Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees; Br. Fergus McArdle, Vice President for Academic Affairs at BU and Br. Cyril Litecky, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor.

In accepting the award, Brother Vincent stated that he was touched by this recognition and pleased to accept it in the name of his colleagues and students at Bethlehem University.