Bridgetown, 13 November 2014. A high level delegation of the internationally recognised Roman Catholic and charitable Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George in Rome paid an Official Visit to Barbados between 8-10 November 2014 as part of a wider regional visit and following an invitation from the Government of Barbados.
The purpose of this high level visit was to better understand the needs of the island and to agree a series of worthy charitable projects to be supported by the Order, which would directly benefit the citizens of Barbados. It is expected such projects will form part of the charitable activities already announced as part of the Order’s newly formed Permanent Delegation for the Caribbean region.
The high level delegation to Barbados included His Eminence Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order, and Cardinal Proto-Deacon of the Holy Roman Church, His Excellency Anthony Bailey, OBE, Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations of the Constantinian Order and Secretary General of the Royal Order of Francis I, The Most Reverend Charles Jason Gordon, Bishop of Bridgetown and Dr Xhoana Papakostandini, Chief of Staff. This visit marked the first ever visit of a member of the Sacred College of Cardinals to visit Barbados.
During the Official visit a courtesy call was paid on His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave, GCMG, KA, Governor General of Barbados and official representative of Barbados’s Head of State, HM Queen Elizabeth II, and Lady Belgrave, in the Senate Ante-Room at Parliament Buildings.
Cardinal Martino and delegation also visited and held talks with The Right Honourable Freundel Stuart, QC, MP, Prime Minister of Barbados at Ilaro Court in Bridgetown. The Delegation also met with The Hon Mia Amor Mottley, QC MP, Leader of the Opposition of Barbados at Parliament Buildings.
The members of the delegation attended as special state guests the annual Remembrance Day Commemorations, Service and Parade at the National Heroes’ Square which was presided over by HE The Governor General of Barbados and held in the presence of the Prime Minister and the diplomatic corps.
The delegation was also received by His Grace The Most Reverend Dr The Honourable John W D Holder, Archbishop of the West Indies, Anglican Primate and Metropolitan and the Bishop of Barbados at St Michael’s Cathedral in Bridgetown. The delegation had fruitful discussions with the Archbishop and his key advisers relating to inter-religious matters whilst recalling the earlier meeting with Anthony at the official dinner which followed the Enthronement of Archbishop Justin Welby as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013.
His Eminence Cardinal Martino concelebrated Holy Mass with Bishop Jason Gordon and the clergy at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Bridgetown on Saturday 8 November 2014. The Mass was attended by senior leaders from the government and church including the Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs, Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, the Hon Steven Blackett MP. An official lunch hosted by Minister Blackett followed afterwards at the Sandy Lane Hotel.
The Cardinal and Delegate Anthony Bailey also met at St Patrick’s Cathedral with the teaching staff and the pupils of a number of local Catholic schools.
The Official Visit to Barbados was part of a wider regional visit to the Caribbean including Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
To read the speech of Cardinal Martino, click here.
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