Member of the Catholic Fund Raising Committee, Val Cuffy has revealed that close to $3.6-million is still needed for the completion of the Roseau Roman Catholic Cathedral renovation project.
He made that announcement while addressing a press conference held at the Bishop Arnold Boghaert Catholic Center Conference Room in Roseau on Thursday.
“We are going to need, in terms of completion, almost EC$3.6-million, which is going to be needed to be raised, not only because we are trying to do cake sales and bar-b-ques, but we are looking forward to the corporate community,” Cuffy said. “There are many Catholics out there in Dominica, who I know and you all know that can contribute significantly and to give the support that is needed, and we are calling on them to make their contribution because throughout our life, we have our physical life but there is a spiritual journey and we depend on the Catholic church for our Baptism, our First Communion, our Confirmation, our weddings and our death.”
He said the effort to raise the monies, the committee will be hosting a Grand Bazaar and a family fun day at the St Mary’s Academy grounds on August 14.
Cuffy said the church has raised over $6 million thus far and has spent over $5-million.
“We have just under $800,000 left in terms of figures we have now that we can work with,” he stated.
Meantime, Bishop of the Diocese of Roseau, His Lordship, Gabriel Malzaire, expects the renovation works to be completed about mid-2018.
“According to my mind, I wouldn’t want the project to go beyond mid-2018,” he stated. “It has been a long journey and we have waited long enough. I thought initially of putting it up to 2017, but I realized that it would be a very tall order, so about mid-2018, I hope that we would have a full fledge cathedral and we will be able to re-opening it and re-commission it, and re-consecrate it and everybody will be able to come.”
Bishop Malzaire noted that what was intended to be the replacement of the roof, turned out to be a much bigger project.
“Because midway in our planning process, we thought that given the fact that we had the experience of the earthquake in the north which happened in 2004, it was advisable that we do what we call a seismic test of the foundation of the Cathedral,” he explained.
He revealed that since the project started, there have been four lots associated with it, with its final lot [Lot 5] to begin in the next month.
“We are moving towards Lot 5, which is the actual placement of the roof material which we had been waiting for practically a year,” Malzaire revealed. “We are awaiting the material from America and at a certain point we had to re-measure, because it is a very complex roof, and therefore we had to do some precise measurements which was responsible for the delay at the moment. Fortunately, at a project management meeting yesterday we got the good news that the material is just about to be shipped to Dominica. So in the next month or so we hope that we would have the roof material down here in Dominica and the work will continue.”
He said according to the engineers the placement of the roof will take about three months.
Lot 1 began by decommissioning the Cathedral and the removal of the furniture, while the 2nd lot was the removal of the asbestos roof, the 3rd lot was the retrofitting of the foundation and the walls of the structure, while the 4th lot involved the placement of the steel frames that are now exposed at the Cathedral.
take r loan people
Sell the building you guys are renting to the government to pay for the cathedral,also all the other properties you guys inherited by poto Catholics who you guys gave preferential treatment to. If that’s not enough then call Rome. When you guys finish power wash the place and get rid of all the false prophets which you all are condoning knowing full well,they are incapable of leading and setting examples to their congregation. Maybe that’s why the cathedral can’t finish. Too much nonsense which is an abomination is going on among the older priests.we need fresh blood like the few great young priests we are blessed with. You guys know yourselves. May God continue to bless you guys.Amen
6 million can build comeh church. is best they had just flattern wat was dere and build from scratch.
but why they doe ask thier Vatican na
I thought that the monies collected by this religious organization was to do maintenance work such as what’s going on? Vatican collects $US13 billion every year from around the world by collections only,not to mention other investments for which they pay no taxes. It’s very evil of them to now ask the less fortunate for money that they barely have! This evil organization which supports an illegal rogue government on the backs of the people sole aim is destroy the people with the support of a few elites! People leave Babylon and their religion, they are agents of the devil who’s plan is to take you all to hell!!!
The Vatican is the Richest Government in the world, it would not put a dent in their pocket to send couple millions to renovate their church plus the Catholic Churches in Dominica contribute to the Vatican annually. We need help.
Sell all those White man idols in the the church to raise money too, we don’t need those idols to help us to worship the most high. GOD is a spirit. It’s best we just build a Pentecostal Cathedral because the Vatican don’t give a dam.
When are these churches going to stop preying on God fearing individuals? The Vatican is richer than many nations/countries. Let the Vatican pay for the church and use the money raised at these barzaars to feed the poor and destitute. God does not care about a big immaculate buildings and $5000.00 stained glass windows.
#OLD
ask the Vatican . . .val I am disappointed you,i expected you to know better…bring back young bull
I’m a practising catholic but this is a joke now. Hasta cuando with that cathedral renovation nuh? I find we in this catholic church should be focusing more on using the resources of the church community to help the less fortunate amongst us and not this building. The Catholic Church is the richest institution in the entire world and it would cost nothing out of their coffers to pay for this renovation from the head office in Rome. Why is the bishop constantly asking poor malawey to put their monies in the renovation of a building? It’s just not what I think my church should be all about. The catholic church in Dominica has lost its way at the helm of this bishop.
I once upon a time was a catholic how many years now they’re raising funds for the cathedral? And millions of dollars? My my my!!! This is just asking tooooooo much of Dominicans specially the less fortunate and those who were affected by TS Ericka. That money has been raised ten times over this is sooooooo heartless!!!
Yessah! Why don’t we just TRY to live like the Jones’ ? Millions of dollars for what? Why don’t they focus on the AIR STRIP they STILL have in Dominica looking like a Dollar Store?
You mean, you were once a practicing Catholic who renounced the Faith. Once a Catholic, always a Catholic to eternity, Heaven or Hell, forever and ever.
This is the mistake some of you make. You allow false indoctrinators to deceive you. When the priest said, I baptize you in the Name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, God blest this baptism whether as a baby or adult. It is sealed forever No one on earth has the power to annul it.
As God He will not rescind this Catholic baptism. If this pastor was spiritually enlightened, he/she would know that.
Knowing you are a baptized Catholic and baptized you in this church, to regard you as a member of that church, is ignorance. This baptism is null and void in the eyes of God. He cannot bless two baptisms, on one person. He did it once.
Christians should know God will not go against his word. St. Paul said: “There is one baptism.” This is the Word of God. It is unchangeable.
they will have to wait till next election..sorry but so it is
It is sad for Mr. Cuffy to be asking people to give money in order to see the completion of the cathedral.The Roman Church is one of the riches organisation on planet earth.Here are some suggestions, What about selling the statues or idols of silver and gold like mother Mary,father Joseph,and the other saints like Paul and Peter, who they believed was the first Pope.Another one, what about recalling the Ambassadors it have all over the world.The duty of a real church is to get men saved through preaching the gospel of Christ the Savior.
What business does it have in having an ambassador to the U.N. and all around the world.?
My service is free,don.t send me a cheque.
He was not referring to the enemies of the Catholic Church as you. As God sees, it is open for charitable hearts. Obviously you do not have one.
Ignorance caused you to renounce your Catholic faith but you are still a baptized Catholic. No one can change that.
In the past you made First Holy Communion, Confirmed and attended Holy Mass. You received Holy Communion. You foolishly gave it up.
Did you not hear the Gospel read on Sundays and also weekly, from Friday to Saturday? Then the priest preached on the daily Gospel?
What excuse would you people not make to convince yourselves that you were correct in renouncing your faith. God will not excuse you nor exonerate you.
Whatever were you doing which caused you to be blinded, veiled your mind and influenced you to leave the Catholic Church? It is the work of the devil. One day you will see your error, pay for your ungodly words and regret it. I feel sorry for you.
SMH heartless souls are within these catholic walls
You have judged and condemned yourself. Your words will be like a noose around your neck forever.
Dominica needs a heavy dose of spirituality instead of institutional worship. I think most folks miss understand the concept of God; God is actually synonymous with with goodness -of -heart and not restricted to a physical space.
I try to build a church within my own body in order to host God and so should be everyone’s life project.
So you think you know the concept of God? I am informing you, you know absolutely nothing. The devil, the detractor, destroyer of souls, the enemy of God and of souls, the divider is helping you along very well. Speak for yourself. Go and learn the meaning of love.
The Bishop needs to go. Father Sharplis almost finish his church in Portsmouth and we have a Bishop who cannot complete the Cathedral. You all have money use it and build what you all can. Waiting to have all the money is foolhardy. The cost of building is inceasing everyday. It is time for a GoFundme project for the Cathedral. Take a loan collection will pay for it
You are an unintelligent one. You have no idea what you stated. Sheer ignorance.
Need I inform you that the Portsmouth church is not as big as the Roseau Cathedral? There is more to do in the Roseau Cathedral. If you followed the information and video you would know that. But of course I do not expect an ignorant mind to grasp it. You are too bent on hatred for the Catholic Church.
The Cathedral was not destroyed by an earthquake as the Portsmouth Church which cost less than the Cathedral. If you were a genuine Catholic you would know that. Where is your mind? Take it out of Satan’s filthy drainage where it is lodged.
Our patient God took note of your words. You will be answerable to him for your ungodly words.
I know some Catholics who are originally from Portsmouth who reside in the area as I. I will discuss your ignorance with them. Of course, they (we) are non to compare with your warped mentality. No blessings for you.
Maybe we can get a zero interest rate from China. All we have to do is give them ownership .
Emmmmmh I hope the church project does not end up like the many ambitious projects the cabal started or promised that .can’t finish example Morrocan Hotel, the geothermal project, the BVI Layou Hotel, and the link road from petit soufierre to name a few. They say birds of a feather flock together. I suggest that the Bishop asked the head of the cabal to be included as a diplomatic passport seller and trust me in a shake that money and change will be raised.
We have our physical life but there is a spiritual journey and we depend on the Catholic church for our Baptism, our First Communion, our Confirmation, our weddings and our death.”–News Article
Mr . Cuffy Sir, let it be known that a \”spiritual journey\” depends on a steadfast and personal relationship with the God of Spirit in Love and Holiness, through faith in Christ Jesus, who is the Person of Father , Son, and Holy Spirit –this relationship is not the dependence of an elegant Church House, as you seem to think based on your word above.
Jesus said to us, that the time is now when we should worship God in Spirit and in Truth; but in that statement above, you are not speaking worship, you are speaking religion, which are the rules and laws of men –not of God , for religion does not belong to Him.
While you are speaking about spending millions of dollars to salvage the Church house, the Church herself, better known as the congregation, remains without the Salvation of Christ Jesus–for the rules and regulations of relgion will not revive the soul.
But unless that soul is revived, quickened, awakened, or reborn, the possessor is still lost to God, separated from His Love–which is the Light–the very Life of the soul–which happens by faith and not by works; which would be your sacrament rituals as mentioned in the quote above
Just as Jesus said: \”What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and loses his soul\” the same it is about your project: What does it profit the Church (the congregation) to be gathered in a place of elegance with a soul that is dead within?
Mr Cuffy are you considering this factor?
Liz Xavier shut your hypocrite mouth.
Steve bohjay!
Let the Vatican pay for it….Wicked set of people. Why all over the world they have to setup churches for poor people to maintain and build when they are living in luxury? Why are people so retarded supporting this organization in this day and age with all the information that’s available online about this Vatican organization? So many brainwashed from their youthful years,they have no interest or capacity to understand that they have been fooled by this globally reaching world order and control organization.
9.6 million dollars??? Why not go to the Vatican in Rome. They have their own bank.
Hello and good evening my people. Val Cuffy you are related to my mother that’s why I won’t tell you to go take a dive in the Roseau River. With all the millions of dollars this religion collected from us they still can’t fix that Church. Please call the Pope at the Vatican and demand our money to fix our Church. I am now a Seven Day Adventist .
But… Val can still go take a dive in the Roseau River, no? JK.
Oh please! Do not make me laugh. God must be laughing at you and the critics and probably saying, “Wait until you stand before Me for your judgment.”
The one cent you placed in the collection box you call that money? Who could live on that? This is what some of you gave to the Church and you are now beating your fingers on the keyboard talking a lot of crap?
As Our Lord said: “On the Day of Judgment you will pay for your words.” If you critics know what is contained in the Holy Bible, the Word of the Lord, you would not make such ungodly comments. Are you aware how much your words, as embedded in your mind, have offended God? One day and soon enough you will find out.
You rejected Our Lord Jesus Christ? It shows how ignorant you are. Woe to you!
Lets see what the Catholic haters are going to say……Am waiting
Chile, come out dere with your Catholic haters. Ummm. What is a hater? Allu just using words all hear on TV. Why would people waste their time hating allu? Stuppesssssssssssssssssss
They have said much now and previously. The gates of Hell are always wide open at such a time. They depict they are Satan followers. We do know their words did not come from God. They came from the jaws of Hell.
As always God took note. They will, one day, regret their words. In their ignorance they do not realize that they are heaping burning coals on their heads.
As an engineering student i know that the figures are pretty accurate considering the size of the building. It cost on average $175 EC to build a square foot in Dominica for the smallest of houses.The cathedral is a very large old building which had to be reinforced throughout which cost a lot of money. Barbados is renovating their Cathedral for over $10 million, Antigua is renovating their cathedral for several millions. These old buildings cost a lot of money to maintain, I am just saying we need to educate ourselves as to why it is costing so much money, Not to mention this is probably the most HISTORIC building in ROSEAU.
You are just concerned about a stone building what about the spiritual building that God has to dwell in? Huhhhh!!?
Ok informative nobody doubting the cost if the building. …we only concerned but why asking people for money instead of going to the Vatican the riches organization in the world to help finish the cathedral. ….isn’t the Vatican the head of all catholic churches? The Vatican is so rich that they can afford to renovate all the Catholic churches….do we hear of other religions asking for the help of other people to help renovate their churches. ….No because they goes to the headquarters of their church not going out there begging other people to help renovate the church ….so the Catholic church and do the same by going to Rome /pope/ Vatican and asked them to complete the church
If you are as intelligent as you appear and/or think, you need not question it. You should have a fair knowledge of the cost for a building this size. Therefore there is no need to question the cost. Sensible people know that it will cost an exorbitant sum.
Furthermore, those who do not donate and have no intentions of donating have no say in the matter. This includes the enemies of the Catholic Church. They always put their mouths/their fingers where they do not belong. They cannot mind their own business. Their words are redundant.
St. Paul has warned people as these: “Stop interfering in the business of others. They must mind their own business.”
Cathedral Committee-
Let’s try raising funds the American Catholic way:
– Bingo every Monday night
– Car raffles (cars donated)
– Registration of all Catholics; monthly envelopes for collection- encourage debit – straight from bank accounts
– Alumni Associations from all Catholic Schools to make an annual donation
– 10% of gross wages for tithes
– Website with fundraising capacity via Paypal or credit cards
– Special collections twice a month
– Annual Cathedral collection
– Appeal to Dominican Catholics in the Diaspora
– Notices for Masses with special intentions; price depends on the intention: $20.00 for my child’s birthday; $50.00 for my husband’s birthday; $200.00 for my unfaithful husband to return to me; $500.00 for his girlfriend to leave.
– Appeal for devoted Catholics to bequeath their possessions to the Church in their wills
You may think this sounds crazy, but this is how my Church in the US raises funds. Church is a business, and we need to be serious…
Hahahahahahaha!!!!!
Well well well!!! The last (Ass) donkey the river and Ericka took it away ! No more (Ass) donkey around!!
Have bake sales. Some could sew and sell the items. The initiatives are endless.
It is not crazy. The Churches in Canada and the US of all do that.
The Parish Church I attend has a building fund. Parishioners donate to this once a month and even then it is not enough to do repairs when needed. These days repairs cost a lot.
It is sad that some people have such derogatory words to say against the Catholic Church. What they appear to ignore is Our Lord’s teachings as they proclaim to be Christians; some Christians.
Our Lord also said: “By their words they will be acquitted and by their words they will be condemned.” He also said: “A tree is known by its fruits.” I am not impressed with those people for they are Catholic haters.
I do know, according to the teaching of Our Lord, the writings of the disciples and what the Catholic Church believes and teaches, one day their words will lead to their eternal detriment. They will experience it.
I cant understand why didn’t the Bishop take a loan from the starting, then the contribution the flocks giving every month would go towards the loan.
Take a LOAN.
Has any of these people checked with that multi billion/trillion dollar organization for financial assistance in this time of need? It just seems to me they have not been made aware of this emergency or leaves the poor on their own with this huge expense. Just asking.
I’m not gonna give my money to someone thats richer than me, where is the Vatican?
That’s what I want to know. Magway sa. The Vatican has more than enough funds to take care of this project. That’s peanuts for them.
But when the Bishop visited the Vatican not that long ago, he had to use a map and point out to the Pope where Dominica is. So, you really think the Vatican knows us? Well, maybe now that we have a Cardinal they do.
Sir Money is not all
what has happened to koudmeh
For real! Why the catholic people can’t do the work voluntarily?
If this church was missing a main bolt for its completion and i had that bolt somewhere this church will all the million that have already i would have lost this bolt into the ocean so that this church can fall back to the ground. however if you give them that main both after the frist sitting of mass they will ask you to bowl befor the PM so he can have mercy on you and your family.
so get lost .
SMH this is crazy. whats the issues with all this funding