British Activities
& Events
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Delegate Anthony Bailey and Council Member Sir Conrad Swan visit the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate in Syria. Damascus – December 2005.
The Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, Mr Anthony Bailey, together with British and Irish Council Member and former Garter King of Arms of the United Kingdom, Sir Conrad Swan, paid a courtesy call on His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III of Antioch & all of the East, of Alexandria, and of Jerusalem at the Patriarchate in central Damascus.
Discussions were held between the parties as to future interfaith and charitable projects which the Delegation wishes to launch in conjunction with His Beatitude and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church whose followers total over one million and whose native tongue is Arabic.
The Patriarch warmly commended the activities of the Constantinian Order in recent years across the Middle East which aims to support the Christian communities in the region and to facilitate greater interfaith understanding and dialogue with all other faiths. His Beatitude also extended his warm thanks to the knights and dames of the British and Irish Delegation following his successful pastoral visit to the United Kingdom which was supported by the Constantinian Order.
During the week long visit, Mr Bailey and Sir Conrad attended a special mass held at the Church of the Patriarchate which was attended by HE The Apostolic Nuncio to Syria and other leading Christian and civil leaders.
Earlier in the day the Delegate, on behalf of the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Castro, invested the Patriarchal Vicar of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, His Grace Archbishop Isidore Battikha, with the insignia of Ecclesiastical Knight Grand Cross of Grace of the Constantinian Order.
The Duke of Calabria attends as guest of honour British & Irish Delegation’s annual Royal Gala Dinner. London – November 2005.
The Delegate of the Constantinian Order in Great Britain and Ireland, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, hosted the annual delegation Royal Gala Dinner at 1 Whitehall Place in central London. The guest of honour was the Grand Prefect of the Order, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, who travelled from Rome for the occasion.
The guest speaker was His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III of Antioch & all of the East, of Alexandria, and of Jerusalem, who spoke warmly of the activities of the Constantinian Order across the Middle East and urged its knights and dames to continue this vital work in a troubled part of the world. A vote of thanks was offered by Council Member, Lord Brennan of Bibury, QC, and the Toasts were performed by His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, 
Judge Patrick Clyne and HE Mr Mohammed Belmahi, Ambassador of HM The King of Morocco to the Court of St James’s.
Over 120 knights, dames and their guests attended including HE Dr Meglena Kuneva, Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as Their Excellencies The Ambassadors and High 
Commissioners of Bulgaria, Morocco, South Africa, Syria and Tunisia. Lord Denman, Lord Brennan and Jim Dobbin, MP, were among the parliamentarians present.
Among the senior clerics attending were His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, Head of the Greek Orthodox Church in 
Britain, His Grace Bishop Yussef Jules Zrayi of Egypt and Sudan, The Very Reverend Father Simeon Iliev of Bulgarian Orthodox Church, The Reverend Canon Jonathan Gough of the Church of England, The Reverend Father Dr Shafiq Abouzayd, The Reverend Canon Flora Winfield, The Reverend Father Michael Seed, Ecumenical Secretary of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Sister Ellen Flynn of The Passage Homeless Centre, Major The Reverend Keith Gordon Berry, The Reverend Father Mark Elvins and The Reverend William Taylor of the Church of England.
Messages were sent for the occasion by those unable to attend. In particular President Mary McAleese of Ireland, a Dame of the Constantinian Order, sent her warmest wishes for a successful evening. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Princess Alexandra also sent similar messages.
Patriarch Gregorios III of Antioch invested into the Constantinian Order. London – November 2005.
His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III of Antioch & all of the East, of Alexandria, and of Jerusalem, was invested into the Constantinian Order to the grade of Ecclesiastical Knight Grand Cross of Grace. The Patriarch 
also received the Gold Benemerenti Medal of the Constantinian Order in recognition of his interfaith activities across the Middle East.
Patriarch Gregorios III is one of the principal Christian leaders of the region and has devoted his entire lift to the work of interfaith relations in the region. His Beatitude is a strong supporter of and has participated in all the inter-religious dialogue initiatives which the Constantinian Order have undertaken in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen following their launch by the Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, in March 2003.
His Grace Archbishop Isidore Battikha, Patriarchal Vicar of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church, based in Damascus was also invested as an Ecclesiastical Knight Grand Cross of Grace.
The Reverend Father Dr Shafiq Abouzayd, Official Representative in the United Kingdom of His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III was appointed as an Ecclesiastical Knight of Grace.
The Duke of Westminster invested into the Constantinian Order. London - November 2005.
His Grace The Duke of Westminster was invested into the Royal Order of Francis I at a ceremony which took place at Westminster Cathedral in London. His Grace, who received the grade of Knight Grand Cross – the highest rank within the Order - received his decoration from the Order’s Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, in recognition of his major contribution to charitable causes across the United Kingdom. The Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, Mr Anthony Bailey, and other Council Members and chaplains attended.
The Administrator of the Cathedral, Monsignor Mark Langham, greeted His Grace on his arrival at the Roman Catholic Cathedral and later toured the historic London landmark.
Promotions for longstanding Constantinian Order knights. London – November 2005.
On the occasion of the visit to the United Kingdom of His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order, a number of Constantinian knights were promoted within the Order’s ranks. All awards were made in recognition of their longstanding services to the British and Irish Delegation.
British and Irish Council Members Mr Dudley Heathcote and Mr Rory More-O’Ferrall were promoted to the rank of Knight Commander of Justice. Mr Heathcote was first invested into the Constantinian Order in 1998 and Mr More-O’Ferrall in 1985. Both knights are members of the Council of the British and Irish Delegation.
Dr Peter Low, a member since 2003, was promoted to the rank of Knight Commander of Merit with Star and Mr Timothy George, a member since 1985, received the rank of Knight Commander of Merit.
The Reverend Father Anthony Pellegrini, who was first invested as a Knight of Merit in 1990 was transferred and promoted to the rank of Ecclesiastical Knight of Grace following his ordination as a priest.
Dr Colin Smythe, who was invested into the Constantinian Order in 1990 and served from 1988-1992 as Charge d’affaires of the British & Irish Delegation and who is currently a member of the Delegation Council was invested to the rank and dignity of Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Francis I.
Mr Anthony Cavendish, who was invested as a Knight First Class in 2001 was promoted within the ranks of the Royal Order of Francis I to the grade of Knight Commander.
Mr Kevin Grant a member of the British and Irish Delegation Council and who since 1990 held the rank of Knight of Merit with Star of the Constantinian Order, was invested as a Knight First Class of the Royal Order of Francis I.
Interfaith leader Sir Sigmund Sternberg promoted to the highest rank within the Royal Order of Francis I. London – November 2005.
Sir Sigmund Sternberg, Founder of the Three Faith Forum, a leading British-based interfaith organisation, was promoted within the ranks of the Royal Order of Francis I to the grade of Knight Grand Cross in recognition of his major contribution to furthering the interfaith activities of the British and Irish Delegation.
Patriarch Gregorios III is received by the Constantinian Order’s Delegation Prior, Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. London – November 2005.
His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III of Antioch & all of the East, of Alexandria, and of Jerusalem, was received by the Prior of the British and Irish Delegation, His Eminence Cormac, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, on the occasion his Patriarch’s visit to London. The meeting took place at Cardinal’s residence in Westminster, Archbishop’s House.
British and Irish Delegate, Mr Anthony Bailey, announces date for his retirement. London – November 2005.
The Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, Mr Anthony Bailey, has formally announced his decision not to seek re-election at the conclusion of his three-year term as Delegate, which formally comes to a close on St George’ s Day 2006. The delegation Council will meet in April 2006 to formally elect a replacement.
Mr Bailey was appointed as Vice-Delegate and Chancellor of the British and Irish Delegation in 2000 and was later promoted for a three year term as Delegate in 2003 in succession to Lord Belhaven and Stenton (Delegate 2000-2003). He has played an instrumental role in overseeing the considerable development of the British and Irish delegation - both in terms of its increased membership as well as its charitable and interfaith activities.
“I feel that having served the delegation for some six years now that the time has come to stand aside and let someone else take on the challenges which the Order will inevitably face in the years ahead as it further increases its charitable and inter-religious work at home and abroad.
“The delegation is in very good shape with a very able Council and an active membership. It has been an honour as well as a privilege to serve our Grand Master and the knights and dames in Britain and Ireland and once a new Delegate has been appointed I will offer whatever assistance they may need to take on this important role and responsibility”.
His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III to attend Delegation Royal Gala Dinner in the presence of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Calabria to be held in London on 14 November. London – November 2005.
The British and Irish Delegation will be hosting a Royal Gala Dinner in the presence of our Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria and Her Roayl Highness The Duchess of Calabria in London on Monday 14 November 2005 at 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1. The guest of honour and guest speaker will be His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III of Antioch & all of the East of Alexandria and of Jerusalem.His Beatitude will be visiting London especially for the occasion and will deliver a speech entitled “The fate of the Christian communities in the Middle East”.
His Beatitude entered the Seminary of the Holy Savior of the Basilian Salvatorian Fathers in Shoof, Lebanon in 1943. He took simple religious vows in the Basilian Salvatorian Order in 1949 and his solemn religious vows in 1954. He received his religious and philosophy education at the Holy Savior Seminary. He continued his Theological studies in Rome where he obtained the Doctorate degree in Oriental Theology at the Pontifical Oriental Institute. He was superior of the Holy Savior Major Seminary in 1961-64.
In 1962, His Beatitude founded the magazine “Al-Wahdah”-Unity in the Faith, the first ecumenical magazine to be published in the Arabic language. In 1966, he founded the Providence Home, at Salhiyeh, near Saida, Lebanon, as an orphanage and a trade school.
In 1974, he was appointed Administrator of the Patriarchal Vicariate of Jerusalem. In 1976, in Jerusalem, he founded the “Student Fund” to help needy students and in 1978 the Family Assistance Fund to help needy families in the troubled areas of his Diocese. In 1967, he founded at the Patriarchate the Oriental Library to promulgate the knowledge of Eastern tradition. He initiated many social projects such as repairing churches, opening clinics and building popular housing.
In 1981, he was ordained Archbishop and continued his work as Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem as successor to Archbishop Hilarion Cappucci. He is well known throughout the Middle East and Europe as an Ecumenist and a Theologian.
As Secretary of the Ecumenical Commission of the Melkite Patriarchate, he has been very active in the Dialogue between the two Sister Churches, the Melkite Greek Catholic and the Greek (Antiochian) Orthodox Churches. He is also a member of the League of the Universities and Institutes of Religious Studies in the Middle East.
The installation of the New Patriarch took place on 29 November 2000, immediately after his election by 30 Bishops assembled in a special Synod for that purpose. The Patriarch also played host to Pope John Paul II on the occasion of his pastoral visit to the Syrian Arab Republic in 2001.
The dress code for the occasion will be white tie/black tie/national dress/papal uniform with decorations. Invitations cost £125 per person and include a drinks reception followed by a three-course dinner with wines. Invitations are still available through the Chancery.
For more information please contact the Chancery on +44 (0) 20 6594 0275; Fax: +44 (0) 20 6594 0275; e-mail info@constantinian.org.uk
British & Irish Delegate honoured by The President of Portugal. Lisbon – September 2005.
The Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, Mr Anthony Bailey has been honoured by His Excellency Jorge Sampaio, President of the Portuguese Republic, in recognition of his contribution to furthering Portuguese-Saudi Arabian bilateral relations.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Castro dies. Rome – May 2005.
It is with profound sadness that the British and Irish Delegation has learnt of the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Chantal of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro. Her late Royal Highness was the wife of the Order’s Grand Master, HRH Prince Ferdinando of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, and Head of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies.
The Duchess of Castro was born Chantal of the Counts of Chevron-Villette, in Le Cannet de Maures, France, on 10 January 1925. In 1949 she married HRH Prince Ferdinando of Bourbon Two Sicilies and following the death of her father-in-law in 1960, became Duchess of Calabria.
When Her late Royal Highness’s husband succeeded to the title of Duke of Castro and head of the dynasty in 1973 on the death of his Father, His late Royal Highness Prince Ranieri, Duke of Castro, she became The Duchess of Castro.
During her long life, The Duchess of Castro was awarded numerous state and dynastic honours in recognition of her work for countless charitable and humanitarian initiatives across Italy and further a field. Among them were the Dame Grand Cross of Justice of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and the Dame Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
The Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, Mr Anthony Bailey, extended the condolences and prayers of all the knights and dames of the dynastic orders resident in Great Britain and Ireland to the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Castro, and the Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria.
Patriarch Gregorios III receives British and Irish Delegate. Damascus – May 2005.
As part of the ongoing inter-church and inter-faith activities of the Constantinian Order aimed at fostering deeper inter-religious ties and understanding between Christian leaders in the Middle East with their counterparts in Europe, the British and Irish Delegate, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, was received by His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III, Patriarch of Antioch & all of the East, of Alexandria, and of Jerusalem - Head of the Melkite-Greek Catholic Patriarchate.
During the one hour meeting held at the Patriarchate in Damascus, detailed discussions were held concerning the launch of a programme of events and activities aimed at highlighting the plight of the Christian communities across the Middle East which will be held in Europe over the coming eighteen months. Details will be announced in due course.
Among those attending the audience were His Grace Archbishop Isidore Battikha, Patriarcal Vicar of the Greek Catholic Patriarchate, Don Juan Pedro Travers de Gandt, a longstanding Constantinian Knight based in Damascus at the Patriarchate, and Miss Melanie Guerra from the British & Irish Chancery.
This meeting was held following the visit of the Constantinian Order’s Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, to Syria and Lebanon in March 2004, during which the Constantinian Order hosted a very successful interfaith seminar between Christian and Muslim leaders.
British and Irish Delegate calls on the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Damascus – May 2005.
During his visit to Damascus, the British and Irish Delegate, Mr Anthony Bailey, called on His Grace Bishop Ghattas Hazim, Patriarcal Vicar of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate based in Damascus. Also attending the meeting was Engineer Samer Laham, Director of Ecumenical Relations and Miss Melanie Guerra from the British and Irish Chancery.
During the one and a half hour meeting, discussions were held as to ways in which the Constantinian Order can assist the Church in a number of interfaith seminars and exchange visits planned for the coming year.
Bishop Ghattas Hazim also extended to the British & Irish Delegate a message of welcome from His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius IV of Antioch and All the East who was away on official business in the United States of America.
For more information on the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate please visit www.antiochpat.org
Grand Prior Cardinal Pompedda maintains role as Ecclesiastical Counsellor to the Constantinian Order under Pope Benedict XVI. Vatican City – April 2005.
His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, following the death of His late Holiness Pope John Paul II automatically continues as Ecclesiastical Counsellor to the Constantinian Order under the new pontificate of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal Pompedda was appointed by the late Pope John Paul II to this post for a canonical period of five years commencing on 1 November 2003.
Over 250 people attend British and Irish delegation's annual St George's Day Reception. London -25 April 2005.
The British and Irish delegation hosted its annual St George's Day reception at the Embassy of Bulgaria in central London courtesy of the Ambassador, HE Mr Valentin Dobrev. The event was attended by over 250 guests including many knights and dames of the Constantinian Order and the Order of Francis I. Members of the British Italian Society and the British Italian Law Society were also present.
During the reception the latest English language book on the cultural legacy of southern Italy was formally launched. The book by Dr Jordan Lancaster - In the Shadows of Vesuvius: A Cultural History of Naples is now available through our mail order section on this website.
Among those attending were the reception were: The Duchess of Somerset, Lord and Lady Brennan of Bibury, Lord Lamont of Lerwick, Lord Denman, Dr Colin Smythe, Mr Norman Gooding, Monsignor Vladimir Felzmann, the Very Reverend Father Simeon Iliev, Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Britain, Father Michael Seed, Ecumenical Secretary to the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Canon Flora Winfield, Mr Santo Volpe and Count Paulo Filo della Torre.
The delegation was also honoured by the presence of the Ambassadors, High Commissioners and senior diplomats from many nations including Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria , Canada , the Czech Republic , Iraq , Italy , Morocco , the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the United States of America and Yemen . Mr Charles de Chassiron, Head of Protocol of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Mr Philip Smith, Treasurer of the Conservative Party, were also present.
The Delegate for the British and Irish Delegation, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, opened the evening which a speech which outlined the close historical and contemporary connections between the Constantinian Order and southern Italy . “The Constantinian Order since 1731 has been headquartered in Naples and despite losing its kingdom in 1861, the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies under its current Head, HRH Prince Ferdinando of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, continues through the Order and other similar organisations, to play a very active role in promoting the history and cultural legacy of Naples and southern Italy today. Its cooperation with the publication of this much needed and well written and amusing book on the legacy which the Bourbon Two Sicilies dynasty left to people of southern Italy and indeed in the world is yet another testament of this activity.
British and Irish Delegate attends Mayoral Reception for Uniformed Organisations. London – April 2005.
The Delegate for the British and Irish Delegation of the Constantinian Order, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, attended a Reception in honour of the Reserve Forces and Uniformed Organisations at the Town Hall, in Kensington, London on 21 April 2005.
The invitation was extended to the Constantinian Order by the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor Barry Phelps, who thanked the Order for its support of voluntary and charitable bodies based within the Royal Borough as well as nationally.
British & Irish Delegate attends Tribute Service for the late Pope John Paul II at the West London Synagogue of British Jews. London – April 2005.
The Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, attended a moving tribute service for the late Pope John Paul II at the West London Synagogue for British Jews in central London. The tribute was lead by Senior Rabbi and Interfaith Chairman of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, Rabbi Mark Winer and was the first time a Roman Pontiff has been honoured in such a way in a Synagogue in Britain.
Among those present and who spoke at the tribute were Sir Sigmund Sternberg, Co-Founder of the Three Faith Forum and Delegation member, Rabbi Tony Bayfield, Chief Executive of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, Councillor Michael Brahams, Deputy Lord Mayor of Westminster, Shaikh Dr Zaki Badawi, Principal of The Muslim College, Mr Leo Simmonds, Secretary of the Papal Knights Association, Mr Jehangir Sarosh, Moderator of the World Conference on Religion and Peace-Europe, The Rev Tim Selwood representing the Church of England, Monsignor Joseph Marino, 1st Secretary at the Apostolic Nunciature to Great Britain, and Constantinian Order Chaplain, the Rev Fr Michael Seed who is also Secretary for Ecumenism for the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.
To download the tributes, click here.
Council Member Lord Alton of Liverpool has published in The Church of England Newspaper an article entitled ‘What Pope John Paul II meant to Catholics’.
To download the article please click here.
Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster leads British tributes following the death of Pope John Paul II. London - April 2005.
The Prior of the British and Irish Delegation of the Constantinian Order, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, led British tributes to Pope John Paul II at a ecumenical vespers service at Westminster Cathedral on 4 April 2005. To download the full text of his homily please click here
British & Irish Delegation to host In the Shadows of Vesuvius Book Launch and St George's Day Reception on 25 April 2005.
The British and Irish Delegation will be hosting a Reception to mark the pre-publication book launch of In the Shadows of Vesuvius: A Cultural History of Naples by Dr Jordan Lancaster. The reception will take place at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, 186-188 Queen's Gate, London SW7 on Monday 25 April 2005 from 6.30-8.30 pm.
Dr Lancaster will give a short talk on her book which will be on sale during the evening. This will be followed by a reception held by courtesy of, and in the presence of, HE Mr Valentin Dobrev, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Court of St James's, and hosted by HE Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate of Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George in Great Britain & Ireland.
Naples finds its origins in Homer's tale of Ulysses and the sirens. The city has long attracted visitors and foreign rulers, enticed not only by its commercial possibilities but also by the stunning beauty of its natural setting on the eponymous bay and the many cultural delights on offer, from the ruins of Pompeii to glittering performances at the San Carlo opera house. Naples was ruled by the Spanish, French, Austrians, and from 1734 by the Bourbon Two Sicilies dynasty before becoming part of unified Italy in 1861.
From the time of the Grand Tour, the city has attracted travellers, from Goethe to Nelson to Dickens to Neruda, all eager to experience its legendary and seductive charms. Dr Jordan Lancaster's sparkling guide will serve as an ideal companion for visitors and as a valuable cultural resource for all those who seek to expand their knowledge of the City or proudly trace their roots to Naples.
The dress code will be lounge suit. (Members of the Constantinian Order and Royal Order of Francis I may wear their rosette). Invitations cost £20 per person. Invitations will be issued on a first come first served basis.
For more information please contact the Chancery on
+44 (0) 20 7594 0275; Fax: +44 (0) 20 7594 0275;
e-mail info@constantinian.org.uk
For more information on Dr Jordan Lancaster please visit www.jordanlancaster.co.uk & www.squaremilelanguages.co.uk
Constantinian Order Grand Master, The Duke of Castro, praises the work of the British and Irish Delegation. Rome - February 2005.
The Grand Master of the Constantinian Order and Head of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies, HRH Prince Ferdinando of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, on the occasion of the issuing of the latest Activities Report of the British and Irish Delegation, sent the following message to the Delegate, HE Mr Anthony Bailey:
"Illustrious Delegate,
"I wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for the copy of the latest Annual Report you sent me. Your work, illustrates the charitable, humanitarian and interfaith activities of the Delegation for Great Britain and Ireland of the Constantinian Order that are so worthy of praise.
"I am pleased to learn that the past year has seen an increase of new activities and I deeply appreciate all your efforts to ensure the growth of the Order.
"I have found the Constantinian Chronicle a very interesting publication and a precious source of information for all the knights and dames of the Order around the world.
"Thank you for all the important work and I hope your dedication to the charitable works and to the interfaith dialogue will continue for years to come.
With all my best wishes for the future. Ferdinando, Grand Master,".
British and Irish Delegation hosts Gala Dinner in honour of the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington and Prior of the United States Delegation of the Constantinian Order. London – February 2005.
The Cardinal Archbishop of Washington and Prior of the United States Delegation of the Constantinian Order, His Eminence Theodore, Cardinal McCarrick, was Guest of Honour and Guest Speaker at a Gala Dinner hosted by the British and Irish Delegate, Mr Anthony Bailey.
The event was held at the Gladstone Library, 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1 and attended by over 140 knights, dames and other guests. Among those attending were His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of 
Thyateira and GreatBritain, Head of the
Greek Orthodox Church in Britain, His Grace Bishop Basil of Sergievo, Head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Britain, The Right Reverend George Stack, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Delegation Sub Prior of the Order, The Reverend Canon Jonathan Gough, Ecumenical Secretary to the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Very Reverend Father Simeon Iliev, Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Britain, Deacon Meliton-Richard Oakes, Father Michael Seed, The Reverend Father Mark Elvins and Sister Bridget Tighe.
The Gala Dinner was also honoured by the presence of the Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chargé d'Affaires of the Holy See, Andorra, the Arab League, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Lebanon, Morocco, Paraguay, South Africa, Syria, the United States of America, Yemen as well as the United Nations Resident Co-ordinator in the Ukraine.
Among other Delegation knights and dames present were the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland , The Right Honourable Paul Murphy, MP, The Right Honourable Baroness Scotland of Asthal , QC , Home Office Minister, Captain Peregrine Bertie, former President of the British Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and The Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury . Lord Nicholas Windsor, son of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Kent , Lord Holme of Cheltenham , Dame Angela Rumbold, Tony Colman, MP, and Jim Dobbin, MP, also attended.
British & Irish Delegate launches new Annual Report which records a huge increase in humanitarian assistance and interfaith activities in Britain and Ireland. London – February 2005.
In a speech delivered at the Delegation Gala Dinner held in honour of the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, the British and Irish Delegate, Mr Anthony Bailey launched the latest Annual Report of the Delegation. “For many of you the charitable, humanitarian and interfaith activities of the Constantinian Order are well known and are, I believe, appreciated by the community at large.
“Yet ancient Orders such as ours can often be misunderstood and attacked as noble relics from the past which some say have little or no role to play in modern democracies such as Britain and Ireland . And frankly they would be right if it wasn't for the way we as an organisation have changed over the centuries. Our Order has moved with the times, and we still play a significant role in fulfilling the basic fundamentals of our membership - namely the defence of our faith and the ensure the care of those most in need in our societies.
“So how have we managed this? Firstly we are an all embracing, internationally recognised dynastic Roman Catholic Order of Knighthood. We work with, give assistance to, recognise, as well as honour, not only those of all different social groups within the Catholic community but also those of other 
religious communities as illustrated by the Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish knights and dames within our Delegation. This multi-faith focus is I believe totally in line with the clear policies and personal aspirations of the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II who more than any other Pontiff has given so much to the cause of interfaith dialogue and understanding.
“As a charitable and humanitarian body, our Catholic Order has also been extremely active and no more so than in the British and Irish delegation of just one hundred and fifty people. During the past year, well over US$1 million has been donated in the name of the Order to so many charitable bodies. Principal among these during the past year has been a major interfaith project for the Holy See in the troubled Balkan republic of Serbia and Montenegro.
“We have also funded care workers for the Forthspring Community Centre in Belfast which is undertaking extremely valuable inter community work among the divided Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland.
“We have supported financially and morally London's Passage Homeless Centre, the St Thomas Fund, the All Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group within the British Parliament, Citywise in Dublin, the Tyburn Covent near Marble Arch, The Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital, and only last month the Tsunami Emergency Relief Fund.
“Internationally, we are currently well advanced in our discussions concerning the launch of new charitable and interfaith initiatives in Syria , Lebanon , Yemen , Costa Rica and Panama. These new initiatives, which will include the facilitation of exchange visits for religious leaders between Europe and the Middle East , followed the excellent formal exchanges which the Order established last year with the respective Heads of State in each country.
Council Member Lord Brennan hosts lunch in honour of the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington at the House of Lords attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. London – February 2005.
Council Member Lord Brennan hosted a lunch at the House of Lords in honour of the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington. Among the guests attending were the Prior of the British and Irish Delegation of the Constantinian Order, His Eminence Cormac, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster as well as delegation knight, His Grace Dr Rowan Williams, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. The Delegate for Great Britain, Mr Anthony Bailey, also attended together with Lord Griffiths of Forestfach and Mr Peter Sutherland.
Cardinal Archbishop of Washington calls on leading British state officials. London – February 2005.
The Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, during his one-day visit to London, met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Gordon Brown, MP, at 11 Downing Street. Discussions were held concerning debt reduction to the third world.
His Eminence also called on Mrs Cherie Blair, QC, at 10 Downing Street and held separate talks with the wife of the British Prime Minister. At the conclusion of the meeting the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington met with the British Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Tony Blair, MP.
Lord Brennan, Delegation Council Member, co-ordinated and attended these meetings.
British and Irish Delegate sends message of solidarity to the Chief Rabbi on the occasion of the commemoration of the 60 th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp. London – January 2005.
On the occasion of the 60 th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp, the British and Irish Delegate, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, sent the following message to Dr Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth.
“On behalf of the Council and entire membership of the Constantinian Order, I am writing to express through you, our sincere thoughts and prayers as well as solidarity at this time with the Jewish people in this country and those overseas.
“I wish you to know, dear Chief Rabbi, that the Order joins the tens of millions around the world who together are reflecting and remembering on the 60 th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, not only the victims of this concentration camp, but the many other atrocities which have historically been inflicted upon the Jews and the followers of your noble faith. Our Order prays for the day when religious hatred and bigotry is banished from our societies. We remain firm in our commitment when confronted with religious hatred to fight it in all ways possible”.
In a reply received dated 1 February 2005, the Chief Rabbi sent the following reply: “Thank you so much for your kind and sensitive letter of support on the occasion of the 60 th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
“I know that the members of our community – especially the survivors – will be deeply heartened by your thoughts and prayers at this time. May I wish you continued blessing and success in all you do.”
British Delegation funds yearly interfaith study prizes at London Catholic School. London – January 2005.
The British and Irish Delegation will fund on a yearly basis four interfaith study prizes at the Roman Catholic Douay Martyrs School in Ickenham, Middlesex. This award winning state school in Greater London is run by the Archdiocese of Westminster.
The prizes, which will bear the Order's name, will be awarded each year to the best students in the following categories: Year 7 - Hinduism Prize; Year 8 - Judaism Prize and Year 9 - Islam Prize. A further award will be made for the best student who excels in the study of 
the Roman Catholic faith.
These awards were agreed following a visit by the British and Irish delegate, Mr Anthony Bailey, who delivered a speech at the school on the occasion of their annual prize giving ceremony. Headteacher Mrs Geraldine Davies warmly welcomed the initiative.
British and Irish Delegation donates £20,000 to the Emergency Relief Fund of the Asian Tsunami disaster appeal. London – January 2005.
Following the terrible tragedies across Asia following the Tsunami Quake, the British and Irish Delegation has donated £20,000 to the Emergency Relief Fund.
British and Irish Delegate, HE Mr Anthony Bailey said “I am pleased that the Delegation membership has been able to contribute in a significant way to the relief of the suffering caused by this terrible disaster. Such support is a key element and requirement of all knights and dames and I thank them for their support”.
Delegation Knight Professor John Burland awarded a CBE in the New Year's Honours. London – January 2005.
The Chancery of the British and Irish Delegation extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes to Professor John Burland, Professor Emeritus of Soil Mechanics at Imperial College, University of London, on the occasion on his appointment as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year's Honours list.
Professor Burland, a Protestant, was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Francis I in November 2001 at a ceremony at Westminster Cathedral in recognition his of major contribution to the restoration work of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.
Cardinal Archbishop of Washington attends Delegation Gala Dinner held in London in his honour. London – January 2005.
The British and Irish Delegation will be hosting a Gala Dinner in London on Wednesday 2 February 2005 at the Gladstone Library, 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1. The guest of honour and guest speaker will be His Eminence Theodore, Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, and Prior of the Constantinian Order in the United States . His Eminence will be visiting London for one day only especially for the occasion.
Cardinal McCarrick in addition to being Archbishop of Washington, is Chancellor of The Catholic University of America and President of the Board of Trustees of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. A founding member of the Papal Foundation, His Eminence served as its president since 1997. Cardinal McCarrick also is a member of the Board of Catholic Relief Services. For the Vatican, the Cardinal serves on the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
His Eminence has visited many nations as a human rights advocate and to survey humanitarian needs. These include China, Cuba, Vietnam, The Philippines, South Korea, Rwanda, Burundi, Lebanon and Eastern & Central Europe. In November 1996, Cardinal McCarrick was invited to serve on the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad and from 1999-2001, he was a member of the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom.
The dress code will be white tie/black tie/national dress with decorations. Invitations cost £125 per person and include a drinks reception followed by a three-course dinner with wines. Invitations will be issued on a first come first served basis. A band will perform throughout the evening.
For more information please contact the Chancery on +44 (0) 20 6594 0275; Fax: +44 (0) 20 6594 0275; e-mail info@constantinian.org.uk |
