Castries, 1 November 2014. Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations of the Constantinian Order and Secretary General of the Royal Order of Francis I, HE Anthony Bailey, OBE on behalf of the Grand Master paid a visit to St Lucia from 29-31 October 2014 within the framework of a wider regional visit to the Caribbean made by the senior leadership of the Constantinian Order.
During his visit, Anthony met with the Prime Minister of St Lucia, The Hon Kenny Anthony, a medallist of the Constantinian Order and one of the first to champion the Constantinian Order’s charitable engagement in the Caribbean.
The Delegate was also welcomed by the Archbishop of Castries His Grace The Most Reverend Robert Rivas and discussions were held over dinner at St James’s Club in Castries as to the future charitable projects to be launched in St Lucia during 2015.
Anthony also paid a visit of the Catholic Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries whose external restoration, the Constantinian Order has agreed to support with immediate effect.
The Constantinian Order is also a significant supporter behind the publication of a book written by Archbishop Robert Rivas entitled How Beautiful the Valley. This book to be published next month by Gracewing Publishing is a work of inspiration that reveals the spiritual story as well as the life and traditions of some of Caribbean islands including St Lucia.
The Constantinian Order has been actively engaged in St Lucia since 1981 through the support of late Nicola Vecchione, a knight of the British and Irish Delegation who forged ties between the Constantinian Order, the Church of the Most Sacred Heart in Ruislip Middlesex and the Marian Home for the Elderly in Castries.
In July 2012 The St Lucian Prime Minister also attended the Delegation’s Faith in Sport Royal Gala Dinner held at Stationers’ Hall in London on the occasion of the 2012 London Olympic Games where he received the Gold Benemerenti Medal of the Constantinian Order.
An Official Visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister will be made by the Order’s leadership during 2015 which will mark the longstanding connection with the country and its church. A number of charitable projects in education, national and ecclesiastical patrimony have been identified for support.
Archbishop Robert Rivas is an Ecclesiastical Knight Grand Cross of Grace of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George and the new Prior of the newly formed Order Delegation for Caribbean.