London, May 2006. The Constantinian Order’s newly appointed Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, met with His Excellency Fuad Siniora, President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Lebanon, on the occasion of his Official Visit to the United Kingdom. The meeting took place at the Lebanese Ambassador’s Residence in central London.
The Lebanese Head of Government expressed his delight to meet with senior representatives of the Constantinian Order, especially knowing of its successful inter-religious mission to Beirut and region as a whole in 2004. Mr Siniora urged the Constantinian Order to continue its support for inter-religious dialogue and humanitarian projects in Lebanon.
The 2004 mission to Lebanon was headed by the Order’s Grand Prefect, HRH The Duke of Calabria, during which The President of the Republic of Lebanon, His Excellency Emile Lahoud, was invested as a Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star within the Special Category of the Constantinian Order. In April 2005 the Lebanese Head of State was promoted to the rank of the Collar decoration in a ceremony which took place in Rome.
“It was a very constructive and useful discussion with an international leader who is clearly deeply committed to fostering greater dialogue and understanding between the respective religious communities at home and abroad. Despite all the troubles inflicted on the Lebanese people during the civil war, the speed with which the nation has come together following this tragedy, and subsequent tragedies, is an important example to the rest of region, and indeed the world, when such tolerance breaks down”.
Among other Constantinian Knights attending was The Reverend Father Dr Shafiq Abouzayd, Official Representative in the United Kingdom of His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III of Antioch & all of the East, of Alexandria and of Jerusalem. The Patriarch, who is a Constantinian Knight, was Guest of Honour at the British and Irish Delegation’s 2004 Annual Royal Gala Dinner.