As informed by the Chancellery of the President, the President was proud that Pujat was one of the two clergy of our nation to whom the Pope of Rome had entrusted him with the title and responsibility of a cardinal.
“Your own strong faith, wisdom of life, amazing ability to work and human modesty are legendary not only in the family of believers, but in the whole society of Latvia. With your life and work you can serve as an inspiring example for all those who seek answers to the great questions of life. emphasized Levit.
The President expressed confidence that today Pujats could look back with pleasure on the past decades and be truly satisfied with the work done and the fruits it had brought.
He emphasized that Pujats, as a Catholic clergyman, had been with his people during the difficult years of occupation, when Latvia was not free and the freedom of religion of the people and the activities of the church were significantly restricted. “One can admire the strength and conviction of the faith of the clergy of your generation in choosing their path of service during the years of oppression and their ability to maintain faith and Christian values in people,” Levits said.
He emphasized that the activities of the Catholic Church during the years of occupation and the preserved contacts with the Holy See allowed us to preserve and strengthen our people’s faith in the restoration of Latvia’s independence and freedom.
He added that after the restoration of Latvia’s independence, Pujata, under the leadership of the Metropolitan of the Archbishop of Riga, the Roman Catholic Church in Latvia successfully engaged in cooperation and dialogue with the Latvian state and society. “Man as a believer, as a Christian, strives to realize the ideals of Christianity, as a citizen he is subject to the laws of the state, so cooperation and mutual respect between the state and the church – all our churches – is extremely important for society to develop fruitfully and harmoniously,” Levits stressed.
Wishing Puja a strong health, endurance in these difficult times and a vigorous mind, Levits presented him with the President’s Commendation and the President’s Medal for lifelong work and lifelong service to our people and Latvia.
