His Lordship, Bishop Gabriel Malzaire, has revealed that the renovation work at the Roseau Cathedral has not moved at the rate as expected and will need an additional 3 to 4 million dollars for its completion.
The Roseau Cathedral, which is over 150 years old, represents historical, cultural and religious significance for the people of Dominica and its renovation is being done in phases. The project started back in 2013 and has encountered several delays.
In July 2019, Dean of the Roseau Cathedral, Fr. Nigel Karam, said that the Cathedral was completely covered but there were still finishing touches to be added to the roofing and that is expected to be completed by the end of July.
He added that although the damage caused by Hurricane Maria was “fairly extensive”, most of the work is already done and what is left is mainly the cleaning and redoing of the floors which were completely damaged by the weather conditions. He said the majority of the tiles on the roof remained in place and proved to be resilient.
“The Cathedral, unfortunately, has not moved at the rate that we expected,” Bishop Malzaire told Dominica News Online (DNO) in an interview.
“But right now we are at the stage of working on the flooring,” he said. “We would need at least 3 to 4 million dollars to complete; right now, the monies that we have will only finish the floor.”
According to the Bishop, when one is doing renovation work, it’s almost difficult to gauge exactly what is needed, “because as you go along, you realize you have more than you expected.”
“Initially a project that should be a $2.5 million project has gone to $12million,” Malzaire stated.
Meantime, he said the roof is finished.
“After that, we have, of course, the windows and doors. Then, we have the choir loft; then we have to finish the ceiling…,” Bishop Malzaire explained. “After the floor, the last major work we have to do is the ceiling. So, I think we are on our way.”
I dont understand that bishop..he think is a.money tree people have eh. He hearing how de economy is now. When skerrit was dishing out y he didnt say that nah y now.. skerrit spend so much money lavishly..paying artist to sing for one hour for 240,000.000 pluus another for 340,000 and the list goesnon and on..si ce election de country dead..what u do with all de cool out skerrit give u
Seriously who is expected to fork out the money. What about Rome? Why weren’t people sent to Dominica to do repairs? This is just getting more and more ridiculous.
What the heck is the Vatican there for with trillions of dollars they show help their Church. Money should be given to the needy not to full Churches accounts which barely those for those in need. Churches don’t pay taxes yet we give offerings and thieve they thief us the more.It time they stop doing like Judas and put down the money bags and help those in need stop leaving the mantle for government. Adopt a school under previlege children do some more work all Churches all denomination. That what God commission us to do right?
Does anyone know the status of the repairs to the Anglican Church that lost its roof in 2018?
The Status is worse and worse..
In a poor cash strapped economy you looking for $12 million to renovate the Catholic cathedral.
Faith is not money.
Money is not faith.
From $3.5 to $12 million?????
So Bishop you doh get a cool out for de church building?
Well you wrong to not look out for de church because all laborites was looking for themselves.
Labor have all de money….. Send in an application
Can anyone give an update on the status of repairs to the Anglican Church across from Fort Young?
There is a scripture verse which talks about counting the cost before starting to build, because you do not want to start building and not have enough money to complete the building. This has happened several times with this bishop. There is no way a roof of this size can cost twelve million dollars, twelve million dollars can build two churches this size.
Ikr smh i just dont u derstand that bishop..he think is a.money tree people have eh. He hearing how de economy is now. When skerrit was dishing out y he didnt say that nah y now.. skerrit spend so much money lavishly..paying artist to sing for one hour for 240,000.000 pluus another for 340,000 and the list goesnon and on..si ce election de country dead..what u do with all de cool out skerrit give u
People, people don’t you guys understand that the head of the church in Rome is responsible for fixing the church. Every other form of churches came down to Dominica to fix and help their people except the Catholic church and the Anglican church.
Why do you think that the government and the people of Dominica should pay when that denomination is the richest church in the world.The bishop is doing his work, its a nasty thing to talk about election past and asking the man to go back to St. Lucia you sound like a bigot
The Roman Catholic Church is the richest organisation in the world. go ask the Pope. Skerrit already gave you millions some years ago to finish it. Plus you still get tithes every sunday. Look lent coming so is now st. Gerards hall will be filled more regularly. What are you doing with the money Malzaire?
So, all the money spent pre election couldn’t help?
DummyInCans too damn sot.
I would love to meet you face to face.
This guy Malziay, has been the most controversial bishop in Dominica.
This guy refuses to condemn wrongdoing, won’t stand up for truth,but quick to protect the oppressors in Dominica.
Judgement day is coming.
Bishop a project was initially estimated at 2.5 million now running over 12 million and you think still needs 3 to 4 million to complete. I work in an engineering firm for long enough to see crap like this. This is a major underestimation of work to be done. Just by the age and architecture of the building i initially thought repairs would exceed 20 million. To maintain the historical significance repairs on such buildings are naturally more expensive and most places it is cheaper to tear down old and build new. However i get the preservation effort. My guess is whoever gave initial estimate had no clue what they were getting into, or the initial amount was deliberately set low so as to not shock flock, 3) may be a result of poor construction management and inefficiency or incompetence. The price the church is paying is sinful considering there are Catholics in Dominica who struggling to send their kids to school and keep lights on and cannot built home for their family.
How about a loan from the World biggest bank? THE VATICAN BANK
Election just finished and you already out there begging for money Bishop? What, Skerrit didn’t pay you for your campaign then? Well bishop if Skerrit didn’t give you enough money to finish the church I guess you will have to push for a by-election, so you could campaign a little harder. Otherwise the majority of us are poor and can’t help
CBI money running out,and he wants more money,call the Pope for your money pal.
When i the comments made i had to laugh,the reasons they gave oh my god….people the use of the church,this church in particular,is not only to worship god,it also conduct the people’s businesses,like for example, burials,provide burial spots,host weddings,come on they play a vital role in the community,i mean if you do not to put your money in there this is all you,but don’t just dismiss the church or building is irrelevant. Lol
Some of these churches, if built sturdy enough can also serve as hurricane shelters.
Some people do better and are more convincing as a politician than as a preacher. I for sure rather listen to the bishop in his supporter for Skerrit than to listen to him talk about Lent or the bible.
All that money to fix the roof and it is still incomplete. 2020 and he is asking for more. where are Dominicans getting the money when they themselves are in need of it. you know how many cupboards can be filled with that, medical bills covered, debt repaid with that kind of money. Always overlooking the poor and seeking our selfish needs. Give money to fix a roof that will never finish only to continue oppressing the poor? God must pass judgement on the country with wicked men like you in power!
What is up with this bishop nah..is not de biilding we are the church. Dam with u man..1million 2 million and we in de church brokes like sh$t. There is a struggling lady in church and many others and u cannot help her with a coin. On a savanah Jesus was teaching people he said go into the world and preach the gospel allu just want to be comfortable in a 12million dollars building and wickedness still prevailing. You leader skerrit taught you well. I out doh look for me again too much hypocrisy
Let Rome give it to you
Five hundred years ago when Chartres Cathedral was being built it is recorded that:
“…the faithful harnessed themselves to the carts which were bringing stone and dragged them from the quarry to the cathedral. Amongst them were lords and ladies, pulling carts with the rest. The enthusiasm spread throughout France. Men and women came from far away carrying heavy burdens of provisions for the workmen. All hearts were united and each man forgave his enemies…”
A hundred and fifty years ago a similar scene would have been enacted in the building of Roseau Cathedral: local craftsmen, local labour and local materials.
Times have changed!
Give money to the Anglican Church. they need it more. The Roman Catholic Church is the richest organisation on earth. They have enough. Last time Skerrit gave them millions. Still nothing. Let Malziere fight his battle. Tithes are given every Sunday. sort it out.
Our Savior never needed money or a building to preach his Father’s word, he never needed money to heal the sick and feed the poor. This is just a sad way to fill the pockets of powerless men. You do not need a building to praise the Father, he is everywhere and in everyone. “Money is the root of all evil” and yet all these priests and preachers and driving around in expensive vehicles, and big houses, and wear expensive suits. This is not right. God does not hear you better or put more attention to you when you go to a man made building, your body is the church. your mind and soul is the congregation. Praise him from wherever you may be, no one can state that they are more blessed and saved than you just because they go to church every Sunday, that doesn’t make you a better person. A lot of those that go to church are very judgemental people. You sin regularly then go to church to “cleanse” and then recommense the following day.. It is not right.
As long as this man called Gabriel Malzaire is head of the Catholic church in Da no one should give-up their hard earned money to improve the church.
The church needs new and more progressive leadership in DA- go raise your own funds or better yet go back to St. Lucia Mr.Malzaire.
Please your Lordship, please forgive them for they know not what they say. Please do not shake your gown on them and I will donate funds to our Cathedral.
John Cohen Malzaire you praying to man? He is not God. He can shake his gown, shake his head, shake his foot, not a dime. Tell Malzaire go ask Rome. If you want you can try to buy your way into heaven and give him your last dollar. Jesus never needed a building to preach or to call on the masses. That is all i know.