The Diocese of Roseau has said it is holding discussions on the way forward for the Holy Redeemer Retreat House in Eggleston which has closed due to damage caused by Hurricane Maria.
A statement on Thursday from the diocese said that the discussions are ongoing with the Provincial of the Redemptorist, the religious order that built and ran the Retreat House.
“Further information will be disseminated as and when it becomes necessary,” the statement said.
Recently it was reported that all operations at the Retreat House were ordered to cease since the facility was closing down.
Late last month, Fr. Rodney Olive, C.SsR., Director and Religious Superior of the Retreat House, explained that there were three reasons for the closure.
“The rising costs to rebuild the Holy Redeemer Retreat House,” he pointed out. “The operating costs of running the Retreat House, both present and future and the likelihood of hurricanes, like Maria, destroying the Retreat House again.”
The Retreat House would be an ideal place for an international school for the study of climate change adaptation and resilience. As such it could pay for itself, put Dominica at the centre of a world movement in the region and give practical expression to the Catholic Church’s teaching on the environment as explained in Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Laudate Si’.
Once repaired, must be insured, fully…comprehensive.
I have attended sessions and workshops there and the environment is very much enabling, comfortable and spiritual. When renovated, must be opened to the public for conferences, camping where a few will be charged for its maintenance and upkeep. Must be operated and managed as a business venture with al of the discipline required to keep open.
Advertised the Retreat House within the Caribbean ad far beyond that redemptorists from beyond the Caribbean, Europe, USA, Asia are able to com to Dominica for spiritual camping, at a cost for course, a good one too. I recommend we extend that responsibility to Fr. Eustace Thomas, if I recall still at The St. Alphonsus Church at Goodwill. Although was not my church, but let him be energised and occupied for this tasks., to raise funds and build up this place that youth etc are able to camp in a spiritual environment. Lets get creative church. Amen. God Bless
Please rebuild the Holy Redeemer Retreat House. Come on, if every county hit by a natural disaster got up and ran, where would we be as a world?
If you fear hurricanes, then put concrete roof.
In the meantime, calling on all Dominican catholics to go and clean up the debri from the area and salvage what can be salvaged (assuming this has not yet been done since I have not seen a recent photo).
Come on Bishop, we need this place. So many lives have been changed in this place.
Which begs the question: was this property insured? Asked and answered; otherwise rehabilitation would be ongoing and near completion.
Obviously not. If Dominica was prosperous people would be able to afford to put more in collection. Church would be able pay Insurance. Instead they there aiding and abetting laziness deception and poverty.
Churhes most everywhere in the world are tax exempted, yet they pass the begging bowl around every Sunday. God sure seem to have an insatiable need for money.