In its last annual report about international freedom of religion the US department of State praises the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation´s work (IRWF), a non-governmental organization founded in Argentina with numerous achievements during the last years.
As in 1999, the Department of State stresses the initiatives of not only the IRWF but also those of Casa Argentina en Jerusalem, an interfaith non-governmental organization associated to the foundation which carries the name of the Swedish diplomat disappeared in January of 1945 after being kidnapped by the Soviet army. Between July and December of 1944 Wallenberg issued safe-conducts which saved the lives of thousands of persecuted, of whom mostly were Jews, and whose fate was the gas chambers at the concentration camp of Auschwitz.
The 2000 report highlights the Commemorative Mural erected in 1997 within the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires. This monument is the only memorial in the world dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust placed within a Christian temple. It was inaugurated by the Cardinal Antonio Quarracino and unveiled by the Nobel Peace Prize, Lech Walesa, Oscar Vicente and Baruj Tenembaum.
”In March of the year 2000 the Chargé d´ affairs of the US Embassy in Buenos Aires was the host of a ceremony sponsored by Casa Argentina en Jerusalem and the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation during which a sculpture honoring Raoul Wallenberg was donated to the Embassy.”, says the report among other things.
Among the saviors who constitute an example of solidarity for these and future generations we can find Monsignor Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, who, during his mission as papal delegate in Istanbul in 1944, issued baptismal certificates in blank to save thousands of children in the Europe destroyed by Adolf Hitler´s forces.
Baruj Tenembaum, founder of the IRWF together with the California Representative, Tom Lantos and the Argentine businessman Natalio Wengrower, pointed out in his recent meeting in Berlin with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Johannes Rau: ‘There are things in life that are more important than life itself. In accordance to what the voice of our forefathers tells us to do, we must look for Truth and Justice´, said Tenembaum. Later, he also said: ‘There are lights and shadows in the world. And even though it is important not to forget the shadows we have decided to dedicate to the exceptions that constitute the lights. We have dedicated to promote Raoul Wallenberg´s person, a protestant who saved thousands of Jews condemned to death and many others like him who risked everything to help people.
Among the saviors who constitute an example of solidarity for these and future generations we can find Monsignor Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, who, during his mission as papal delegate in Istanbul in 1944, issued baptismal certificates in blank to save thousands of children in the Europe destroyed by Adolf Hitler´s forces.
