London, 18 December 2014. The Grand Magistry of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George has announced today the immediate commencement of a EC$1.5 million (approx. GBP £364,626 / €464,608) charitable engagement in the Commonwealth of Dominica in partnership with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Roseau.
The charitable projects, whose grants have now been transferred and match-funded, are being supported through the efforts of the Delegation for Great Britain and Ireland in cooperation with the Diocese of Roseau. They include a significant contribution towards the restoration of the historic Our Lady of Fair Haven Cathedral in Roseau, the renovation of St Peter’s Presbytery in Colihaut and the renovation of Our Lady of Morne Carmel Retirement Home in Morne Daniel as well as the rebuilding of the Diocesan Youth Centre in Roseau.
This significant charitable engagement follows the highly successful Official Visit of the Grand Master of the Constantinian Order HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and the Grand Prior, HE Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, to Dominica from 4–6 November 2014 which included meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition of Dominica and with HE Cardinal Kelvin Felix and former President Dr Nicholas Liverpool.
The Secretary General of the Royal Order of Francis I and Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations of the Constantinian Order, HE Anthony Bailey said, “I am delighted that the Constantinian Order has finalised through the generosity of its members and friends in Great Britain & Ireland this significant donation which will allow for the immediate commencement of the works in each of the approved project sites. We look forward to working together with the Diocese of Roseau, the Dominican Government and other local partners to the implementation of each project that will benefit all citizens of Dominica. I am confident that the projects identified which encompass the full spectrum of need will help to develop understanding and trust and to deliver the relief to the poor and those in need which the Holy Father Pope Francis has so encouraged us all to promote”.
The Rt Hon Baroness Scotland of Asthal, QC, said, “I am truly delighted that the Constantinian Order, of which I have been a member since 2003, has been so gracious as to accede to my pleas that it should widen its global programme to my homeland of Dominica and the wider Caribbean region, which sadly has within its compass many areas of acute deprivation and need which, notwithstanding the regions inherent beauty, commitment and the strong faith of its people, merits further spiritual encouragement and is worthy of immediate financial and other support”.
A full and official report is currently being prepared and will be published early in the New Year.
The charitable and community engagement undertaken and launched in Dominica by the Constantinian Order in the areas of national and religious patrimony and community outreach is part of a wider regional programme for the Caribbean including Antigua and Barbuda and St Lucia, and which are expected to be extended next year to St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados and Grenada.