Honduran cardinal rejects award from Unification Church

Catholic News Agency/October 17, 2006

Tegucigalpa, Oct. 17, 2006 (CNA) - The Unification Church, founded by cult leader Sun Myung Moon, has issued an award through one of its shadow organizations to Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez of Honduras, who immediately said he would not accept it.

According to the Honduran daily "La Prensa," the sect selected Cardinal Maradiaga as "ambassador of peace" and sought to organize an elaborate ceremony at a hotel in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa.

Auxiliary Bishop Juan Jose Pineda told reporters the cardinal rejected the award because of its connection with the Moon sect.

The Unification Church is the same sect that has ensnared the former African Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, who has been excommunicated and is promoting the abolition of priestly celibacy.