An Italian missionary and peace advocate in Mindanao, Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, was awarded the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy), one of Italy’s highest honors, on October 1.
He also recognized for his commitment to peace and interreligious communication between different Mindanao cultures, who has served the Philippines since 1977 as a priest of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME).
Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italy’s ambassador to the Philippines, Davide Giglio, presented the honor, which recognizes those who have significantly fostered friendly relations between Italy and other countries.
Fr. D’Ambra spent most of his priestly life in Zamboanga City, where he founded the Silsilah movement, which promoted talks between Muslims and Christians.
In July 2024, the Bishop Jorge Barlin Golden Cross Award was given to D’Ambra for his service, which is the highest honor given by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
According to the Italian embassy in Manila, D’Ambra’s Silsilah movement promoted coexistence between Christians and Muslims to overcome religious barriers.
Among its many national and international peace awards, the Silsilah movement has been honored with Japan’s Goi Peace Award in 2013 and the World Interfaith Harmony Week Award in 2014, sponsored by Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
