St George’s, July 2015 The Cardinal Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, His Eminence Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino and Cardinal Proto-Deacon of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, paid an Official Visit to Grenada between 16-18 June 2015 at the invitation of the country’s Prime Minister.
The official delegation included HE Anthony Bailey, OBE, Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations and Delegate for the Caribbean and delegation members and supporters Steven Wilkinson, KCSS and Christian Sweeting KCSG, and Dr Xhoana Papakostandini, Delegation’s Chief of Staff.
The Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Grenada, HE Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, Msgr Pawel Obiedziński, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature and His Grace The Most Rev Robert Rivas, Metropolitan Archbishop of Castries and Prior of the Order’s Caribbean Delegation were also in attendance during the Official Visit.
The main purpose of the visit was to launch of a multi million dollar charitable programme which included a number of significant charitable projects in Grenada such as the complete Restoration and Rehabilitation of the Grenada Public Library and National Archives in St George’s, the New Life Organisation Project (NEWLO), St Patrick’s Roman Catholic School, the Dorothy Hopkin Home for the Disabled, Top Hill Home in Carriacou, Grand Anse Home for the Aged, Grand Anse Girls Centre and other worthy projects identified by state and ecclesiastical authorities in the country.
During the Official Visit, Courtesy Calls were paid on Her Excellency Dame Cecile la Grenade, GCMG, Governor General of Grenada and the Prime Minister, Dr The Rt Hon Keith Mitchell MP. The Hon Alexandra Otway-Noel, Minister of Implementation, Ruth Rouse, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, and Kisha Alexander Grant Press Secretary to the Prime Minister also attended.
The Most Rev Vincent Darius, Bishop of St George’s and Bishop Sydney Charles, Bishop emeritus of St George and Sister Margaret Yamoah, Executive Director of the New Life Organisation Project also met with Cardinal Martino and the delegation. The Bishop of St George’s hosted the delegation to lunch at the Coyaba Hotel at which the Governor General was present.
His Eminence Cardinal Martino concelebrated Holy Mass together with HE Archbishop Nicola Girasoli and Archbishop Robert Rivas at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in St George’s on 17 June 2015. The beautiful and moving Mass was attended by HE The Governor General of Grenada, senior Cabinet members of the Government, former Governor General of Grenada, HE Sir Daniel Williams and Lady Williams and hundreds of worshippers. Cardinal Martino addressed the congregation and thanked all those that had made his visit so successful.
The delegation visited also the J.W Fletcher Catholic School and the St David’s Catholic School where the Cardinal Grand Prior and delegation were warmly welcomed by the Headmasters and teaching staff, local Members of the Parliament and the students and greeted with a lively cultural programme.
A luncheon in honour of the Cardinal Grand Prior and delegation was also hosted by the Bishop of St George’s at the Coyaba Hotel. The luncheon was attended by the Governor General HE Dame Cecile La Grenade, senior officials of the government and members of the clergy.
Accompanied by Her Excellency The Governor General, the delegation visited the ruins of the historic Government House, badly damaged by hurricanes since 2004 and the Grenada Public Library in St George’s which is closed to the public due to significant deterioration of the building and whose rehabilitation and reopening will be funded by the Order.
To mark the first Official Visit of the Order to Grenada the Cardinal Grand Prior presented high awards to the Governor General and to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. His Eminence later received honours on behalf of the Grand Master of the Constantinian Order from the Governor General.
The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister together with senior state, diplomatic and ecclesiastical representatives attend this ceremony. The Governor General hosted a drinks reception for the invited guests, which was followed by an official dinner, hosted in honour of the Constantinian Order at The Aquarium Restaurant.
The visit to Grenada was another important occasion to further the Order’s charitable and humanitarian endeavour in the Caribbean region.
To read the speech of the Cardinal Grand Prior please click here.
To view photos from this visit, please see our Facebook page.
