In the Solemn Mass celebrated this morning in the Church "Maria Decor Carmeli and San Giovanni XXIII Papa" in the UNP 2-3 Base of Shama in Lebanon, headquarters of the command of the Joint Task Force Lebanon Sector West, was delivered to the Commander, Brigadier General Diodato Abagnara, and to the Military Chaplain Chief Don Claudio Mancusi, the “Grato Animo” medal granted for high merits to the Custody of the Holy Land, by Fra 'Toufic Bou Merhi on behalf of the Father Custos, Fra'Francesco Patton.
This is the highest award given by the Custody of the Holy Land, which also includes Lebanon in its jurisdiction, to the Christians who supported its works. Great appreciation was expressed, on behalf of the whole Lebanese episcopate for the work of the peacekeepers, by His Excellency Monsignor Caesar Essayan, Apostolic Vicar of Beirut of the Latins, who presided over the Holy Mass.