This speech was given at the acceptance ceremony of the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa awarded to the Reverend Sun Myung Moon by Plata University in Argentina, on November 15, 1984, at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.
As the wife of Reverend Moon, I join with my children and the members of the Unification movement worldwide in saluting the courageous stand you and your university are taking in recognizing and honoring my husband at this difficult time. It deeply touches my heart.
I cannot truly express my profound appreciation on this occasion. My husband is today in the United States federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut.
He is in prison because he loves God rather than his freedom. He is in prison because he loves humanity rather than his comfort. Furthermore, he is in prison because he is a man of principle rather than a man of popularity, and he is in prison because he lives for history rather than for the present moment.
When we look at history, we see that men of God and men of principle have often walked a path of suffering. My husband is following that tradition. The Catholic University of La Plata has recognized the value of his life, his vision, and his work, and that is why you are honoring him today.
My heart is deeply grieved that he cannot be here to receive this honor in person, but it is more meaningful in history, after all, that you have honored him in this way during his confinement. Today I came from Danbury prison, where I spent the day with my husband.
On my departure, he asked me to convey his very sincere gratitude for your most kind recognition of his work. Your action testifies to the world that Reverend Moon is working for the sake of humanity and not for himself.
Furthermore, this honor shows that his suffering is not in vain and that the people of the world appreciate his lifelong dedication to the cause of God and humanity.
My husband has visited your great country of Argentina, and he has seen the tremendous future that lies ahead for the Argentine people and nation.
Your university is one of the finest in the Americas and is upholding the tradition of a great teaching institution in accord with the 2,000-year heritage of the Roman Catholic Church.
Your standard, particularly your stand on behalf of true freedom under God, has won his heart. My husband feels great joy in establishing this special bond with the Catholic University of La Plata.
He and I are looking forward to visiting your great university in the not-too-distant future. God bless you. God bless the Catholic University of La Plata. Thank you very much.
Hak Ja Han Moon