A historic moment when a papal honour was bestowed on a Sikh spiritual leader BIRMINGHAM, UK – History was made in the Catholic Church in the UK when Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia and Mr William Ozanne were made Knights of the Pontifical Order of Pope St Gregory the Great on April 22.
The ceremony took place during a special Mass and Investiture at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham.
The Order of St Gregory is normally bestowed on Catholics but in rare cases it is also conferred on non-Catholics in recognition of meritorious service to the Catholic Church and the exceptional example they have set in their communities and country. In his homily Archbishop Longley said: “I believe that it is the first time that a papal honour has been bestowed in this way on a spiritual leader from within the Sikh community.
“It represents the Holy Father’s recognition of Bhai Sahib Bhai’s deeply held desire for fruitful and lasting relations between Sikhs and Catholics and opportunities to witness together.
“We recall Bhai Sahib Bhai’s presence in Assisi for the international meetings of faith leaders at the invitation of Blessed Pope John Paul II and of Pope Benedict,” said the archbishop, who noted that the Sikh also attended the funeral of Blessed John Paul II in April 2005.
