Bishop of Roseau, His Lordship Gabriel Malzaire, is optimistic that the recommencement of the Cathedral Roof Renovation project which resumed from December 3, 2018, will go on uninterrupted, as planned.
The Roseau Cathedral, which is 159 years old, represents historical, cultural and religious significance for the people of Dominica and its renovation is being done in phases. The project commenced back in 2013 and has encountered several delays.
“There has been a resumption of work on the Cathedral roof project. In terms of the time line for that particular project, I am not one hundred percent sure but I think it might be about six months and then we will deal with the floor, steeple, doors, and electricity,” Bishop Malzaire said.
According to him, “what is critical for us is the continued fund raising that is still necessary.”
“The roof renovation is financed by a loan taken from the National Bank of Dominica. The cost of the total project is 12 million [EC dollars]. We have raised in excess of 6 million plus the loan, bringing it to 9 million. So, we need to raise a further 3 million dollars…and is asking on the faithful to continue to make their contributions,” he stated.
“At Christ the King celebration, in my homily, I said let’s have a 20/20 vision, that is, to complete by 2020. So far it is in our hands and also in the hands of God…where we are now, we have to thank God for it,” Bishop Malzaire remarked. “Unfortunately, we have had long delays of over a year. Since Hurricane Maria we have not done anything and I am hoping that this will no longer happen since the cost of building materials keeps going up. I want to really get it off the list. Lots of work to be done in the diocese like Grand Bay.”
The Death of Christian Orthodoxy might not be to far away, the last 2000yrs have been very profitable . Their brand of Religion borderlines big business , with a very small trace of Spirituality , practically guiding their followers to the Hell they Created . Just recent, an Earth quake with a 7.5 magnitude shook up Trinidad , a deadly one usually , it left Trinidad unscratched somewhat with the exception of the Roman catholic top building of worship , Its head was broken off , after recently being refurbished , maybe the living God is not loving their Doings ?
We need to exercise some objectivity here when commenting on the completion of the Cathedral.. While it is true the building serves primarily Roman Catholics, the building is a national architectural treasure. It depicts the architecture of the past and is also a tourist attraction. We need to preserve our historic buildings for the benefit of the country’s cultural heritage. This is part of a country’s history and cultural wealth. So, lets demonstrate a little national pride !
12 million dollars!!! wow! That is insane! Is that good financial management? Why spend all that money on a building? The apostles worshiped in homes, Paul had services under some trees in Acts 16.
The Almighty does not dwell in houses made by man by in our souls.
Disgusted!!!
It would have been far more beneficial to forgo the roof completely and share the money among the flock.
You guys pray all the time for trivialities but when you need something tangible you attempt to raise funds. laughable
So, Gabriel Malzaire what have you done with the five ($500,000.00) hundred thousand dollars of Dominica Taxpayers money Roosevelt Skerrit gave you to put a roof on your building?
Why do you need a loan from a Bank belonging to the people of Dominica to waste on a broken down building; one which is not serving the population of Dominica. Everybody in Dominica are not Roman Catholic, Roosevelt is we know that; however, the people’s (non-roman catholic money should not be spent for religious benefits).
The Roman Catholic organization is the richest religion entity on planet earth, why could you not borrow money from your pope?
If he refuse to lone you his money, why couldn’t you borrow from a private commercial bank in Dominica?
Tell you why; they would not loan you one dime; because your Sunday collection would not help to pay off the loan in a thousand years! That is what happens when God is not in the affairs men!
It’s a fair question why the money cannot be borrowed from the Institute for the Works of Religion (aka the Vatican Bank), given that its mission is to provide “specialized financial services to the Catholic Church worldwide.”
You see Steve, I do not know if your believe in God, but if you do, you are perhaps familiar with that part of scripture which said (if it is of God it shall prevail; if it is not of God it shall destroy itself)! Religion especially the Roman Catholics came to the Caribbean carrying cross and bible.
They preached the philosophy of man, they acquired every bit of choice land wherever they took their religion; if you reside in Dominica, look around and you will find any place in the country wherever they build are on land that the natives have nothing in similarity.
And if you do find local people building on flat land these days, that’s all due to the acquisition of Estates that was owned by British people and sold to who could afford.
They supported slavery, and used the word of God to justify slavery; its matter of self-destruction and the Bible speaks of such things will happen in the last days!
My thoughts exactly. Why isn’t the Pope donating/contributing or whatever Catholic head there is?
Stupes….. I always say the amount they spending on on repairing that 1 church(12million) could have built multiple churches… is it worth spendi g 12 million on that building?
They shouldn’t have undertaken such an expensive renovation
As a Catholic I find this troubling and embarrassing when so many Dominicans lack basic necessities
over 20 million on one building hmmm religion for you!
Every time is a different story with that Cathedral better all you even give up on that.