British Activities & Events
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President of Lebanon sends congratulatory message to the British and Irish Delegation. Beirut – December 2004.
His Excellency General Emile Lahoud, President of the Republic of Lebanon, sent the British and Irish Delegation a congratulatory note to the British and Irish Delegation for its work in Lebanon. To download the message, click here.
Delegation Christmas Reception held at the Moroccan Ambassador’s Residence. London – December 2004.
The 2004 Christmas Reception of the British and Irish Delegation was hosted by the Moroccan Ambassador to the Court of St James’s, HE Mr Mohammed Belmahi, at his central London residence together with Order Delegate Anthony Bailey.
Over 100 knights, dames and their guests attended this enjoyable event including leaders of all the faith communities in Britain, Ambassadors and other diplomats accredited to London and Dublin, Peers, and Members of Parliament. Ambassador Belmahi is a KnightCommander of the Royal Order of Francis I and a long-standing supporter of the interfaith activities of the Delegation. The Southend Boys Choir also sang Christmas carols throughout the two hour event.
The Sub Prior of the Delegation, The Right Reverend George Stack, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, together with His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, The Right Reverend Tom Burns, Roman Catholic Bishop of HM Armed Forces, and senior clerics from Westminster Cathedral and Lambeth Palace also attended.
In a speech British & Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey said, “For some it may seem somewhat strange that a Roman Catholic dynastic Order of Knighthood is celebrating the Feast of Christmas on Moroccan soil surrounded by a Protestant choir, as well as the leaders and followers of all the faith communities. Yet as an Order which is pro-actively engaged in ecumenical affairs, I believe events such as this are long over due and to be encouraged.
“At this time of continued uncertainly in world affairs and against a backdrop of seemingly endless inaccurate media reports referring to break down among the faith communities across the world, Morocco on both an official as well as public level, stands firm and sets an excellent example to all of its commitment and support for greater interfaith understanding, respect and tolerance.
“The late King Hassan II illustrated this in a major way when His late Majesty became the first Arab leader to invite Pope John Paul II to visit the Arab world, during which the Holy Father was able to celebrate an open air mass. Many other interfaith initiatives have been launched under the current reign of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and his Government and the Order looks forward to participating in them. Events such as this reception therefore illustrate our commitment to this work. I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year”.
Pope John Paul II honours seven delegation members with Papal knighthoods in recognition of their interfaith work for the Holy See. London – December 2004.
His Holiness Pope John Paul II has bestowed Papal knighthoods on six members of the British and Irish Delegation. These high awards were granted by the Pontiff in recognition of the considerable support given over recent years by members of British and Irish delegation in favour of the interfaith work of the Holy See in the Balkan republic of Serbia and Montenegro.
Mr Nadhmi Auchi, GCFO, (Muslim), Mr Mahmoud Khayami, KCFO, (Muslim), Professor Nasser David Khalili, KCFO, (Jewish), Dr Peter Low, KMCO, (Roman Catholic), Mr Eitan Wertheimer, KCFO, (Jewish), and Mr Steven Wilkinson, KCFO, (Protestant), were awarded the rank and dignity of Knight of the Pontifical Order of Pope Saint Sylvester.
The Delegate of the British and Irish Delegation, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, (Roman Catholic) was awarded the rank of Knight Commander of the same Papal Order.
During the past two years the above honourees, have pro-actively supported a series of interfaith initiatives of the Apostolic Nunciature in Belgrade. These have included the funding of a series of publications explaining the role of the Holy See in the recent Balkan war, as well as supporting the restoration and rebuilding of the Vatican’s diplomatic headquarters in Belgrade.
His Excellency Archbishop Eugenio Sbarbaro, Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro bestowed the awards in the name of the Holy Father, in a ceremony in Belgrade. The Prior of the British and Irish Delegation, His Eminence Cormac, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, extended his warmest congratulations to all the recipients.
The Constantinian Order is very active in interfaith matters across the world, and it noteworthy that these Papal awards have been bestowed on our members who came from a multi-faith background.
Longstanding Constantinian Knight John Victor Monckton dies in horrific attack at his London home. November 2004.
The Chancery regrets to announce the death of Mr John Victor Monckton, as a Knight of Justice of the Constantinian Order in 1988.
As you many of you would have noticed from the widespread media reports, John was stabbed to death following a break in at his home in central London . His wife, Homeyra, was also attacked and is currently in a serious condition in hospital.
The Chancery asks all our knights, dames and medallists to remember John, Homeyra and the entire Monckton Family in their prayers at this sad time.
Pope John Paul II honours Delegation Chaplain, Father Michael Seed with the Papal decoration Cross in recognition of his interfaith work for the Holy See. London – November 2004.
The Reverend Father Michael Seed, SA, a longstanding Chaplain of the British and Irish Delegation has been awarded the papal Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal; the highest honour which can be bestowed on a cleric by the Head of the Catholic Church. The award was made in recognition of the services which Father Michael has rendered over recent years to the Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro, His Excellency Archbishop Eugenio Sbarbaro.
Father Michael, who is the Secretary of Ecumenism of the Archdiocese of Westminster, was personally congratulated by the Prior of the British and Irish Delegation, His Eminence Cormac, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster.
General Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank and Norman Gooding join Council of the British and Irish Delegation. London – October 2004.
The Chancery is pleased to announce that former Chief of the British Defence Staff, General the Right Honourable Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, GCB, LVO, OBE, KM, KCJCO, and the General Secretary of the Orders and Medals Society, Mr Norman Gooding, OStJ, KFO, have joined the Council of the British and Irish Delegation.
The King of Morocco bestows high state honour on British & Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey in recognition of his contribution to furthering educational ties between the North African kingdom and Britain. Rabat – October 2004.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has awarded one of his country's highest honours to the Delegate of the British and Irish Delegation, HE Mr Anthony Bailey.
The award of Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Al-Alaoui was made in recognition of the contribution which Mr Bailey have given over recent years to the Moroccan-British Society and on the occasion of the signing of the HM King Mohammed VI Fellowship for Moroccan and Mediterranean Studies between the Moroccan British Society and St Antony's College, University of Oxford. Mr Bailey is a Trustee and Committee member of the Society.
The ceremony took place at the Royal Palace in Rabat and was presided over by HRH Prince Moulay Rashid, brother of Moroccan monarch. Among those attending were HH Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui, President of the Moroccan-British Society, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Morocco, HE Mr Haydon Warren-Gash, and The Ambassador of His Majesty The King of Morocco to the Court of St James's, HE Mr Mohammed Belmahi.
King of Bahrain receives Constantinian Order delegation and urges nations to allow full freedom of worship during meeting with Christian leaders. London – July 2004
King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain received a high level delegation of Christian leaders in London during which he affirmed that throughout its history, Bahrain had guaranteed the free practice of all religions and urged other nations to follow suit for the benefit of humanity.
The one hour royal audience at the Dorchester Hotel in London , was organised by Anthony Bailey, Delegate in Britain and Ireland of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, a Catholic dynastic order which is pro-actively engaged in inter-church and inter-faith dialogue initiatives.
The 54-year-old monarch, who was on a weeklong visit to Britain during which he met The Queen, invited Muslim scholars and Christian clergymen to work for peaceful co-existence at local, regional and global levels. The King underlined their role in spreading awareness, correcting distorted concepts and promoting the principles of peace, tolerance and love among people. His Majesty also warmly welcomed the role which the Constantinian Order is playing in this field.
King Hamad also reiterated Bahrain 's strong condemnation of acts of terrorism, which he said conflicted with the principles of all religions. He again underlined his kingdom's keenness to support international efforts to fight terrorism.
British & Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey presented His Majesty with the Jubilee 2000 medallion of the Constantinian Order on behalf of the Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria.
Among those attending were Bishop James O'Brien, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster , who delivered a personal letter from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and the spiritual head of the Constantinian Order in Britain . In his message, Cardinal Cormac said' I am very conscious that Your Majesty is most active and committed to inter-faith dialogue, both national and international, and that there is complete freedom of worship and a very sizable Christian population in the Kingdom of Bahrain ' . Currently there are over 8,000 Bahraini nationals who are Christian.
Among other senior clerics attending were Anglican Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali of Rochester who delivered a personal letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury and who is responsible for Christian-Muslim dialogue internationally for the Church of England. Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain , Head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Great Britain and Anglican Bishop David Gillett of Bolton also spoke.
Among others attending were the Rev Canon David Marshall, Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury and Secretary for Interfaith dialogue , the Rev Canon Jonathan Gough, Ecumenical Secretary to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Rev Father Michael Seed , Ecumenical Secretary to the Archdiocese of Westminster.
Constantinian Order delegate Anthony Bailey said 'Many people are totally unaware of the long tradition and freedom of worship that has existed for centuries in the Gulf region. Bahrain 's example is one of great hope and needs to be brought to the public's attention at a time of widespread misconceptions concerning the Christian communities in the Arab world as a whole. King Hamad is firmly committed to greater interfaith dialogue and understanding and we look forward to engaging with His Majesty more fully in ecumenical projects in Bahrain and across Britain and Ireland'.
British & Irish Delegation knights donate over US$851,000 to the work of the Holy See in Serbia and Montenegro. London – June 2004.
During the past year the major fundraising project for the British & Irish Delegation has been devoted in large part to the work of the Holy See in the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro.
Through the personal generosity of seven knights of the British & Irish Delegation, over US$851,000 has been donated to the Apostolic Nunciature in Belgrade, capital city of the former Yugoslavia. A meeting was held in London with the Apostolic Nuncio to Serbia & Montenegro, His Excellency Archbishop Eugenio Sbarbaro where it was agreed that the Delegation's support would be given to fund a series of high-level inter-faith and inter-church initiatives in the former war-torn Balkan nation.
This financial and moral support has included the funding of a series of publications in Serbian, English and Albanian which clearly explain the precise role of His Holiness Pope John Paul II and the Holy See during the recent war in the former Yugoslavia. These publications has proved extremely valuable in illustrating the positive and constructive role which the Holy See played throughout the crisis and have been warmly received from Orthodox, Muslim, civil and governmental leaders in the country.
Uniquely in this predominately Orthodox nation, which has at times witnessed both historic and contemporary ecumenical hostility, the books include forewords from His Holiness Patriarch Pavel of Serbia, HE Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi of Kosovo and Serbian Ambassador to the Holy See, HE Dr Darko Tanaskovic.
A substantial part of the donation, which was made throughout the past twelve months, has also funded the partial restoration of the Apostolic Nunciature and the Delegation expects that during the forthcoming year, sufficient funding will be raised to allow for the projects completion.
For those wishing to further support this initiative or to receive a copy of ‘The Holy See and the Crisis in Kosovo' please contact the Chancery.
Constantinian Order supports the All Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group within the British Parliament. London - June 2004.
The Constantinian Order has for the past year supported the important work of the All Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group within the British Parliament. The group, which includes key Constantinian knights and dames among it leadership, include Lord Alton of Liverpool and Ann Widdecombe MP. The Patron of the Group is Anthony Bailey, Delegate for Great Britain & Ireland of the Constantinian Order.
The Delegation has during the past few months donated over £12,000 (€18,000) to fund the work of the Group which is a cross-party, multi-faith group striving to promote the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death within Parliament. During the past year, the Group has held meetings with Government Ministers on a variety of issues including the draft Mental Incapacity Bill and sex and relationship education. Other issues, which the All-Party Group are involved with, include the Lord Joffe's Patient (Assisted Dying) Bill and opposing moves to liberalise the Abortion Act.
In addition, the Constantinian Order funded the costs which allowed pro-life campaigner Norma McCorvey to come from the United States to Britain in March 2004 and speak at the House of Commons.
Group Chairman, Jim Dobbin, MP, said ‘This past year has witnessed the beginning of what I trust will be a long and fruitful relationship between the All Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George. Throughout the Group's treasure, Lord Alton of Liverpool the Group has received invaluable financial and moral support from the Constantinian Order as 
well as personally from its delegation Anthony Bailey.
“It is vital that there is a vocal and effective pro-life presence in Parliament. My parliamentary colleagues and I remain committed to upholding the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death and the support from the Constantinian Order makes this possible”.
To find out more on the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group please visit our links page or visit their website at: www.parliamentaryprolife.org.uk.
Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus Archbishop Luigi Barbarito joins Council of the British & Irish Delegation. London – May 2004.
The Chancery of the British & Irish Delegation is pleased to announce that His Excellency Archbishop Luigi Barbarito, GCVO, has been appointed to the Council of the British & Irish Delegation in May 2004. In 1986 whilst Apostolic Nuncio in London, HRH The Duke of Castro, as Grand Master, appointed His Excellency as Ecclesiastical Knight Commander of Grace of the Constantinian Order. Throughout his term as Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency took a keen interest in the development of the charitable and humanitarian initiatives of the British and Irish Delegation.
His Excellency was born in Atripalda , Italy , in April 1922 and was ordained into the priesthood in August 1944. In 1953 he joined the Vatican 's diplomatic service and worked for six years in Australia . In 1959 he returned to Rome to the Secretariat of State where he served throughout the period of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).
From 1967 to 1969 he served in the Nunciature in Paris and was then appointed by Pope Paul VI as Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti and titular archbishop of Fiorentino.
From 1975 to 1978 he served as the Pope's representative to Senegal , Niger , Upper Volta , Mali , Mauritania , Guinea Bissau and the Cape Verde Islands . In 1978 he returned to Australia as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio.
In January 1986 he succeeded HE Archbishop Bruno Heim as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Court of St James's based in London . He became Apostolic Nuncio in 1993 when the Vatican abolished the title of Pro-Nuncio. In 1994, as the longest-serving ambassador accredited to the Court of St James, HE Archbishop Barbarito became the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps in Great Britain .
On 13 March 1996, during an audience with HM Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace , HE Archbishop Barbarito received one of Britain 's highest distinctions by being awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).
Archbishop Barbarito celebrated his 75th birthday in April 1997 and submitted his resignation as Apostolic Nuncio to Pope John Paul II at that time. He was succeeded by the current Apostolic Nuncio to the Court of St James's, HE Archbishop Pablo Puente.
Downing Street Reception in aid of Plater College, Oxford. London - May 2004.
British and Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey attended a reception at 10 Downing Street hosted by Mrs Cherie Blair, QC, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, MP.
The reception was held in honour of Plater College, Oxford, which offers practical support and encouragement to people whose experience of education – and often life as a whole – has been marked by disadvantage, extreme poverty, lack of opportunity and marginalization.
Among other Constantinian knights and dames attending were Delegation Prior, His Eminence Cormac, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, Delegation Sub-Prior The Rt Rev George Stack, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, Delegation Chaplains, His Grace The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, The Rev Father Michael Seed, and Delegation members, Sister Ellen Flynn and Mr John King.
For more information on the college and to offer any financial assistance to its important work, please visit their website at www.plater.ac.uk.
Acclaimed author and longstanding Constantinian Knight Dr Peter Bander van Duren dies. London – April 2004.
It is with much sadness that the Chancery of the British & Irish Delegations notes the death on 21 April 2004, aged 73, of our confrere and renowned author, Dr Peter Bander van Duren.
Dr Bander van Duren was first invested into the Constantinian Order as a Knight of Grace in December 1981 and was promoted by order of HRH The Grand Master, to the high rank of Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star within the Special Category, on St George's Day 1985.
Peter Bander van Duren was a well known and much liked Delegation member, and was the leading international authority on papal, state, catholic and dynastic orders of knighthood. Dr Bander van Duren's noteworthy titles included ‘Orders of Knighthood and of Merit and their relationship to the Apostolic See' and ‘The Cross and the Sword'.
A memorial service will be held at Westminster Cathedral, London SW1 on Tuesday 13 July 2004 at 3pm. The Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, Anthony Bailey will be attending and should any knight or dame wish to attend please contact Colin Smythe on 01753 886000, or by post to P.O. Box 6, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9 8XA.
Should anyone wish to make a donation, Peter's wish was that it be given to our adopted charity, The Passage Homeless Centre, St Vincent's, Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1NL.
Presidents of Syria, Lebanon and Yemen honour British & Irish delegate. London - March 2004.
Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland of the Constantinian Order, has been honoured by three Arab nations in recognition of his contribution over many years to inter-church and inter-faith dialogue, and for furthering European-Arab relations.
Anthony Bailey, who was appointed Delegate in 2002, was invested with the Syrian Order of Outstanding Merit (First Class) in a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Damascus on 21 March 2004. His Excellency Bashar al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, presented Mr Bailey with the insignia and diploma on behalf of the Syrian people.
At a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Beirut on 23 March 2004, His Excellency General Emile Lahoud, President of the Republic of Lebanon, decorated Mr Bailey with the insignia of Knight Commander of the National Order of the Cedar. This high award was made in recognition of Mr Bailey's contribution to bilateral relations and for his charitable endeavour to Christian and Muslim communities in the Republic.
His Excellency Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of the Republic of Yemen, also bestowed on Mr Bailey at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Sana'a, the Order of Unification – 22 May in the grade of First Class with Collar. This award was made in appreciation of Mr Bailey's contribution to furthering religious dialogue between Yemen and Europe, which in recent years has included exchange visits of Muslim leaders with their Christian counterparts across Europe.
In a letter dated 19 April 2004 from Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty The Queen granted Mr Bailey Unrestricted Permission to officially wear the decorations in the United Kingdom.
British and Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey said ‘ I am truly humbled by the high awards which have been bestowed on me by President al-Assad, President Lahoud and President Saleh. I have been engaging in worthy interfaith initiatives with many religious communities across the Arab world 
for many years now, and so to be recognised for this voluntary work is especially welcome from governments who are firmly committed to such activity.
“In accepting these honours, I did so on behalf of my many Christian, Muslim and Jewish friends and colleagues who have always supported me and worked with me on countless dialogue initiatives. This work is of the utmost importance and especially today when there is a considerable public perception that such dialogue and understanding has all but broken down”.
Constantinian Order continues its support for adopted charity The Passage Homeless Centre. London - February 2004.
Since its adoption in 2001 as a Delegation charity, The Passage Homeless Centre has received considerable support from the Constantinian Order in Great Britain and Ireland.
At a meeting of the Delegation's council in February 2004, a further £5,000 (€7,500) was donated to the work of the homeless centre in addition to an earlier donation of £5,000 (€7,500) made in early 2003.
Sister Ellen Flynn, Director of The Passage said, “ Please let your members know how welcome their continued friendship is and their support of our work. There is always plenty to do with the money as you are aware. We are as busy as ever. The Day Centre continues to provide a safe, warm environment for about 350 people a day and Passage House has overnight accommodation for 53 people who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets. The services we take to those still living on the streets are being increased by the appointment of two additional outreach workers. Please pass on my heartfelt thanks to all the knights and dames involved and assure them that they will be remembers regularly in our prayers for our benefactors” .
Many Constantinian knights and dames continue to be actively engaged in the administrative and charitable initiatives of the homeless centre.
For more information on The Passage, please visit our links page or their website at www.passage.org.uk.
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